washerboy Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 I had an email from someone supposedly working at the gym I'm a member of. The gym owner has been sent to prison for three years and the email is regarding the owner being able to up my direct debit without my consent and even going as far as taking money from my bank to pay off his fines etc. I don't know the person who has sent me and 93 other gym members the email. Could it just be a hoax or could a person up my membership fee without me or my bank giving permission? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 Contact your bank and block it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 Not sure, but first thing I would do is cancel your direct debit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 (edited) just asked the wife as she knows about these things. He can in some cases increase your direct debit. when you set it up it came with conditions as follows: A direct debit guarantee by the bank/building society that will state the following or similar. if any changes made to the amount,date or frequency of your dd the bank has to notify you within 14 working days, if an error is made you are entitled to a full and immeadiate refund paid out by your bank or building society FSA rules atb 7diaw Edited December 21, 2016 by 7daysinaweek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 The Direct Debit scheme does allow the payment amount to be varied unlike a standing order which is for a fixed amount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted December 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 I'm happy paying the £16 a month for 24 hour use of the gym, but obviously don't want my bank account emptying or the fee to double over night. I'm a fix term contract for 6 months Best thing is speak with my bank ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 YES! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted December 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 Thanks guys I will call in at my bank tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilksy II Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 Npower have doubled my DD without any notice from them or the bank in the past so I guess it's possible, soon recified it with a phone call but it's always hassle, hope you get it sorted washerboy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaxiDriver Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 I'd suggest raising it with someone who actually is working at the gym in addition to keeping an eye on your account. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 It has to be as DD are used to pay bills like phone bills which aren't a fixed but a variable amount one month £20 next month £300 all perfectly legal. I would ring the bank now, see what they advise cancelling the DD can cause more issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 Just get on your internet banking and get it stopped, panic over, recommit with a standing order when you have asertained some facts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e2000e2000e Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 It would still be illegal for him to take money for something he hadn't supplied, a phone company can up your dd for extra phone calls etc. But a gym can't take extra unless your membership goes up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belly47 Posted December 22, 2016 Report Share Posted December 22, 2016 As stated direct debits can be variable amounts but don't worry you are always protected via your bank under the direct debit indemnity scheme so if any payments are taken that you do not agree with you can always come back to your bank for a refund Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 just asked the wife as she knows about these things. He can in some cases increase your direct debit. when you set it up it came with conditions as follows: A direct debit guarantee by the bank/building society that will state the following or similar. if any changes made to the amount,date or frequency of your dd the bank has to notify you within 14 working days, if an error is made you are entitled to a full and immeadiate refund paid out by your bank or building society FSA rules atb 7diaw Bootle Bird? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 (edited) The water company increased my mothers DD on her little retirement flat from thirty something pounds a month to over eighty. This was despite her already being in credit when they did it. By the time I got hold of it she was about four hundred pounds in credit.If they did that to every one of their customers they would be holding millions of pounds of other people's money. I gave them hell but it was an uphill struggle, i'm sure a lot of old girls would have not had the fight in them to go head to head with these crooks Edited December 23, 2016 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 (edited) Bootle Bird? No, Geordie, but has lived here most her life so has our scouse accent. I work in Bootle! atb 7diaw Edited December 23, 2016 by 7daysinaweek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 Aah ok, Us oldies associate Bootle banking with Girobank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manthing Posted December 24, 2016 Report Share Posted December 24, 2016 I'm happy paying the £16 a month for 24 hour use of the gym, but obviously don't want my bank account emptying or the fee to double over night. I'm a fix term contract for 6 months Best thing is speak with my bank ? If it's a 6 month fixed term would not the price be fixed for the same term? Speak to the gym and ask them for clarification of increase. I would have thought that unless the facilities had changed dramatically, the increase should be minimal in line to cover small increase in the running costs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted December 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2016 My only concern is if the guy who is now in prison can legally or not increase my direct debit or even empty my bank to pay off his fines. I don't want to cancel my DD and incur costs I had no joy with the bank as I couldn't get an appointment until the new year ...TSB 😡 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted December 24, 2016 Report Share Posted December 24, 2016 Aah ok, Us oldies associate Bootle banking with Girobank. Yes the Giro in Bootle, I know lots of people who worked there and like many institutions was a job for life for many. Sadly not anymore. The building still stands and it is now Santander, I pass it most evenings when I in work. atb 7diaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manthing Posted December 24, 2016 Report Share Posted December 24, 2016 You need to speak to the gym, there admin may have been hacked. You'll need to get this straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted December 24, 2016 Report Share Posted December 24, 2016 Yes the Giro in Bootle, I know lots of people who worked there and like many institutions was a job for life for many. Sadly not anymore. The building still stands and it is now Santander, I pass it most evenings when I in work. atb 7diaw Yes via Alliance and Leicester courtesy of the Tories for about £10 to get rid of most Building Societies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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