The Direct Debit Guarantee

With effect from 1 July 2009 the two previous forms of Direct Debit Guarantee wording have been replaced with the wording illustrated below.

Whilst it is considered best practice for all service users to adopt the new Guarantee immediately, service users set up to use Direct Debit prior to this date may continue to use either of the two previous Guarantees until 31 December 2010; service users set up after 1 July 2009 must use the wording as illustrated below:

• This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits • If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit (insert your organisation name) will notify you (insert number of ) working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request (insert your organisation name) to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request • If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by (insert your organisation name) or your bank or building society you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society - If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when (insert your organisation name) asks you to • You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.

• This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits

• If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit (insert your organisation name) will notify you (insert number of ) working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request (insert your organisation name) to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request

• If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by (insert your organisation name) or your bank or building society you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society

- If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when (insert your organisation name) asks you to

• You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.

With effect from 1 January 2011 ALL service users must use the Direct Debit Guarantee above.

All Direct Debit Instructions should be in the correct format and include the Direct Debit logo as set out in section 3 of the Service User's Guide and Rules to the Direct Debit Scheme and/or section 2 of the Paying Bank's Guide and Rules to the Direct Debit Scheme.