In this article, we’re explaining how to cancel a direct debit payment.
The information in this article will apply to direct debits in most jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Europe, United States, and elsewhere.
However, it’s important to note that your bank may have specific protocols that you need to follow in order to cancel existing direct debits.
So, as always, we suggest contacting your bank directly to confirm if they require any special steps to complete the process.
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Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
How to Cancel a Direct Debit
How to cancel a direct debit will ultimately depend on the requirements set by your bank or building society. However, in most cases, you can contact your bank through your preferred channels, including online banking, telephone banking, or in person by visiting a branch to cancel an existing direct debit.
Importantly, after canceling, you should contact the organisation that charges your account and inform them that you have cancelled the payment. Otherwise, it could result in additional fees for them due to a failed payment and additional administrative burden for you, by having to explain retroactively that the payments will no longer be processed.
Cancel Direct Debit Online Via Mobile Banking App
To cancel a direct debit online via your mobile banking app, you will need to log into your account and navigate to the relevant menu item. In most cases, this will be listed as direct debits, standing orders, payment instructions, or a similar variation. Once you find the relevant section of the mobile banking app, you can identify the payment that you want to change and proceed with requesting that it be cancelled.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are three of the most common questions that we receive from people looking into how to cancel a direct debit. If you have further questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly.
Can You Just Cancel a Direct Debit?
Yes, you can just cancel a direct debit any time you like. To do this, you can contact your bank directly and request that they stop the direct debit payment. Alternatively, most banks will allow you to manage your direct debit payments through online banking, mobile banking, or telephone banking. That said, in order to stop a payment, you must be the account holder.
How Do I Cancel a Direct Debit (App)?
You can cancel a direct debit through an app by logging into the mobile banking application tied to your account and navigating to the direct debit, standing orders, or payment instructions section of the mobile banking platform. Once you have located the correct section of the account, you can choose the payment that you want to manage and proceed to cancel the payment authorization.
Can a Company Take Money If You Cancel Direct Debit?
No, a company cannot take money if you cancel direct debit authorization. This is because your bank will deny any payments tied to a direct debit where the authorization has been revoked. That said, you will need to contact your bank directly to cancel the authorization. Importantly, the cancellation process can usually be completed through online banking, mobile banking, telephone banking, or in person by the account holder.
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