Bank Direct Debit

Verified 17 October 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Do you want to pay your expenses by transferring the money directly from account to account, without using a payment method (bank card, check, etc.)? You can set up a bank direct debit. Here are the rules to follow to use it.

Direct debit allows you to transfer money directly from your bank account to another account, without using a credit card, check or cash. It allows you to pay regular bills (telephone, electricity, etc.).

The sampling can be punctual or automatic (regular).

A direct debit may be made in euro or another currency

A SEPA Direct Debit is performed in euro in the countries of SEPA zone.

The procedure differs according to whether the sampling is punctual or automatic (regular).

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Direct Debit: Interbank Payment Document (SEPA Tip)

Your creditor can provide you with a document called Interbank Payment Document (SEPA Tip).

You can then pay by signing the SEPA Tip and sending it back by post.

On 1er payment of this kind, you must first attach to your shipment a bank identity statement (Rib).

The SEPA Tip is then sent by the creditor to your bank, which draws the corresponding amount from your account.

Please note

you can direct debit to a bank account domiciled abroad.

Direct Debit

You can permanently allow a creditor to have the amounts due deducted from your account, as payment deadlines arrive. The levy is then said automatic.

This type of payment is often used to repay a credit (consumer credit or mortgage) or to pay your bills (telephone, internet, etc.).

To implement it, you must complete the direct debit order proposed by your creditor, accompanied by a bank identity statement (Rib).

You can cancel the order without having to justify your decision, by sending a letter to the bank, and to your creditor.

It is recommended to send these 2 letters by registered letter with request for acknowledgement of receipt.

A mandate for which no SEPA direct debit order has been submitted during 36 months can no longer be used. If the creditor Wants to use it again, it will need you to sign a new collection warrant.

The bank cannot perform a direct debit operation without your permission. You may withdraw your consent until the collection has taken place.

The implementation of the bank levy can be paying.

The cost depends on the rates set by your account agreement.

You (the debtor) must pay the fee.

Bank Registration: Transaction Date

The transaction date is the date on which a payment transaction (debit or credit) is recorded by your bank.

If the picking order is changed to an hour near the end of the working day, it shall be considered as received on the following working day.

If the time of receipt is not a working day (e.g. in the case of orders placed via the Internet), the picking order shall be considered as received on the following working day.

Withdrawing funds from the account

The withdrawal period varies from one bank to another.

In general, funds are drawn from 2 to 5 working days after registration by the bank.

Interest calculation starting point: value date

The value date is the starting point for interest calculation. It corresponds to the date of registration of the debit to your account. It makes it possible in particular to determine the duration of a uncovered.

The creditor must inform you at least 14 days before the scheduled debit date (unless otherwise agreed) of the date and amount of the direct debit.

This information is usually communicated to you by a schedule or a notice of withdrawal.

The execution of each payment transaction shall be notified to the holders of the 2 accounts concerned (credited account and debited account).

You can agree with your bank on the means and frequency of notifications (e-mails, account statements, etc.).

Deadlines

To dispute a direct debit, you must send a letter to your bank.

Dispute a transaction on his statement of account

Action times differ depending on whether you are challenging an authorized or unauthorized direct debit.

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Authorized Pick

You must submit your challenge request within 8 weeks after the debit date.

In this case, the bank will refund you or justify its refusal within 10 working days upon receipt of your request. If bank charges have been levied, they will have to be refunded.

Pick Not Allowed

To contest an unauthorized collection, the time limit is 13 months after the debit date.

Where the establishment of the payee is outside theEuropean Union or the European Economic Area (EEA), that period shall be reduced to 70 days. It may be extended by contract, but may not exceed 120 days.

The bank must refund the debited amount no later than the end of the first working day upon receipt of your request. If bank charges have been levied, they will have to be refunded.

Warning  

these deadlines do not apply if the bank has not provided or made available to you the information relating to this payment transaction (account statement).

Follow-up to the challenge

If your dispute is not resolved, you can appeal to the banking ombudsman.

If you are not satisfied with the Ombudsman's action, you can appeal to the civil courts during 5 years from the date the operation was performed.

If you don't have enough money in your account, your bank may refuse to pay the levy. She must notify you and give you the reason for the refusal. This refusal may result in bank charges, depending on your account agreement.

If a SEPA Direct Debit is rejected, it is recommended that you contact your creditor to regularize the situation. You can ask them to represent the direct debit or to provide another method of payment (e.g. by credit card or SEPA credit transfer).

If the direct debit is resubmitted and the provision on your account remains insufficient, your bank may charge you a new bank fee. However, you can claim these costs.

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