Monthly Direct Debit increase during contract period without any notice

[Anonymous]

Should the monthly Direct Debit amount increase during the contract period without any notice ? If not, how do I get a refund ?

[jonsie · Accepted solution]

The standard monthly direct debit can increase when your tariff increases annually with RPI increases but you would normally get notice via email or text when this occurs. There has been a recent increase. This has been discussed at length in various threads.

http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Pay-Monthly-and-Pay-Go/O2-price-rise/m-p/615424/highlight/true#M62386

Your direct debit will also increase if you have charges not covered by your allowance such as sending MMS or calls to 0870, 0845 or 0800 numbers. You don't get notification of this, it is automatically added to your bill and taken by direct debit.

[Anonymous]

Hi @Anonymous and Welcome to the Community Forum,

As jonsie says this is correct.

I have also included a direct link to O2's Official statement on these increases.

http://www.o2.co.uk/desktop/prices

[Anonymous]

I received notification of price change a while back now - have email telling me increase of 45p....although just received my bill and showing increase of 46p.

Now i understand it is only 1p to me - but with 8 million (so Money Saving Expert tells me) pay monthly customers that's a nice tidy extra for O2 (can i have it in my bank every month). Still waiting on response to email......response from 'chat' and 'helpline' was nothing they can do ooh and it's only 1p

[Anonymous]

We have had a similar thread on this previously. When charges are calculated they are rounded to the nearest penny. It appears this is what has happened in your case.

FYI most companies do this and is normal standard accounting practice. Is it really worth wasting any of your precious time complaining? Life is too short

[Anonymous]

work it out 8 million x 1p - can i have it in my account.

secondly why does one system round up and the other down, surely the formal communication should be correct and reflect what will be deducted from account.

Do you work for O2 by any chance

[Anonymous]

I don't work for o2 no. I just put things into perspective and be realistic.

[Anonymous]

If you feel THAT strongly about it then phone customer services on 202 (contract) or 4445 (payg cost up to 25p) and discuss it. Me? I have better things to do than worry about 1p on a bill.

[Anonymous]

Appreciate your frustration with this issue but please remember we are customers like you so only can surmise and go from official info on the main site.

If you wish to challenge this then their is the official complaint form.

[Anonymous]

I totally agree with where you're coming from. I've accepted the increase in my contract mid term of 43p. And come my bill it's actually 44p. I've had it out with o2 online. They said they've rounded it up because the increase was actually .435p. Contractually if they state in your contract its 43p and state what your new payments are then they have to stick with it. A contract is a contract after all. And as far as rounding up well where '5' is concerned you can round down also. But because as per contract there is no extra '5' then the argument doesn't stand in any case.

In my case they said they'd credit my account with a £1. I'm yet to see it. I've also reported it to OFCOM and made a complaint to them also. Maybe you can too. The more the merrier - then something may actually be done!

I also had it out with them on social media about it in reply to Which? campaign encouraging us all to complain about the increases. But they both seem to miss the point on this extra increase by stealth. IT'S AN INCREASE ON AN INCREASE BY STEALTH. Imagine how much every little penny extra they're making out of their contract customers. Millions of pennies. They must be doing it to us all.

I can see it and so can you. You're not alone. I'd say ignore the nay sayers who think you're nit picking. Stick to your guns. You're quite right! Every penny does count these days. Especially when it's yours not theirs!