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One billing error, hack or surprise fee and you’re one phone call from having it reversed under the terms of the direct debit guarantee. In the countries I’ve l
by Nursie 4y ago
One billing error, hack or surprise fee and you’re one phone call from having it reversed under the terms of the direct debit guarantee. In the countries I’ve lived in.
- thewebcount 4y agoI’m in the US for what that’s worth. What you’ve posited assumes you can get someone on the phone which is no small task these days. Also, keep in mind that something like 60% of Americans are a single surprise $500 expense away from going into debt[0]. (Luckily I’m not one of them.) But generally, it takes weeks to months to get your money back if something like this happens, and that assumes everything goes well, which it rarely does. [0] https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2016/01/06/63-of-americans-dont-have-enough-savings-to-cover-a-500-emergency/?sh=729440cf4e0d https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2016/01/06/63-of-...
- Nursie 4y agoYeah that does sound like a nightmare. The UK direct-debit guarantee includes the provision that you must get a full and immediate refund on error, to prevent this sort of thing, and while I'm sure it doesn't always work as smoothly as you'd want, they are very commonly used and not a great source of complaints. https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/businesses/complaints-deal/banking-and-payments/direct-debits https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/businesses/complaints... That said, fuckups do still happen! https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/dec/07/kent-family-charged-80k-in-error-after-edf-sent-1m-electricity-bill https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/dec/07/kent-family...