Direct Debit Question.

Haji-Baba · Senior Member

Direct Debit Question.

Tony LEE · Guru

All my bills are paid using automatic direct debit, credit card or bank transfers. And then each month, the credit card balance is paid out of a bank account. Phone plan is no dufferent

montie · Guru

How do you know the txt was from Telstra?

Dougwe · Chief one feather

NO.

But I did get a new phone form a Telstra shop about two weeks ago and they insisted I pay by direct debit, a new policy they say. I had to go along with it sadly. I got my notification with bill attached via email two days ago as has been the case for many years and I automatically paid it by B pay, not thinking. When I realized what I had done I re-read the email notification and it said it will come out of my bank account via direct debit on 30/3. Now I expect to do a double payment. Bugga.

It will be interesting because I said to the girl in the shop at the time I always pay by B pay and she said I still can. It was a new policy to have your bank details in case you don't pay, as many have not.

I wish these companies would leave things be. I hate change.

Snippy · Senior Member

When the due date comes, your payment will be detected and the direct debit will only take the balance owing. I worked in Telstra credit management for a while.

Have no fear Doug, you won't pay twice.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Thanks Kevin. I can go back to sleep and not have a nightmare. About Telstra anyway.

oldbloke · Guru

Don't worry. 30 odd years of direct debit. Never had an issue.

To assist when traveling almost everything is DD now.

But a bit selective, never direct debit insurance. Get quotes almost every year.

montie · Guru

Haji-Baba wrote:
Has any one recieved a notification by text from Telstra with respect to opening a Direct Debit for monthly accounts?
Is this another option to our long term invoice plan which is paid at the local Post Office?

Have fun Haji-Baba

Before you go handing over your bank details you better make damn sure that txt you received was from Telstra.

Haji-Baba · Senior Member

Thanks Montie, not a chance that I will hand over bank details to anyone.

Latest enquiries with local Telstra shop just a few minutes ago strongly suggest that all Telstra customers will be on some type of Direct Debit soon.

My understanding so far suggests that to ward off bad debts or overdue accounts they want a direct debit access to recover outstanding funds.

Ok, should work very well untill someone else gets the bank details and that could be danderous.

I am not going to be a party to this as I have been overcharged a number of times in the past and have spent hours trying to recover funds removed from my bank accounts.

Have fun Haji-Baba

Relax-n · Guru

We received notification by email that our plan was changing, increasing in cost and payment by direct debit only.

Have had issues with Telstra in the past, so not giving them authority to debit money from account. If something goes wrong, the money is still debited, then Telstra dont have to hurry to fix the issue.

We have gone to a prepaid plan, and at the moment, seems cheaper than our previous monthly plan. Stayed with Telstra though as they have better coverage while travelling.

-- Edited by Relax-n on Wednesday 17th of March 2021 10:02:06 PM

-- Edited by Relax-n on Wednesday 17th of March 2021 10:02:51 PM

Haji-Baba · Senior Member

Thanks Relax-n. We have decided to stay with Telstra even though we have had some upsetting issues in the past.

Our travelling days are over but we still need a good coverage.

As much as I abhore the direct debit issue with Telstra I will seek other options as you have done and try to resolve the issue with them.

I will keep all posted.

Have fun Haji-Baba.

-- Edited by Haji-Baba on Thursday 18th of March 2021 05:18:33 AM

-- Edited by Haji-Baba on Thursday 18th of March 2021 05:19:35 AM

Mobi Condo · Guru

Due to a DD problem back in the 1980's with a Health Fund, I refused ever to go that way again since, 'til late 2020.

Now I have set up a separate 2nd A/C with our main bank just for DD and I pay $x in each pay to keep it in +ve. What helps is that most big companies offer monthly payments from DD AND at NO extra cost to the yearly amounts being paid.

It was a belter to set up after hours of xls spreadsheet work and pouring over previous 2 years payments etc.

Since Sept 2020, it has run very successfully, I check the accounts each pay f/n and we even get interest each month on the +ve balance.

Next September will provide the best answer to my work of course.

So we have two traveling credit cards to use to protect our main bank, the DD account to help NOT get behind regular payments and thus can keep a good record of spending when out and about.

I should have done it a long time back.

SORRY - I went WAAAAY off track here, we stay with TELSTRA coz of remote travel. and am happy to do DD with them each month. I also wonder if one of the emails we got was a scam as well, but we worked with TELSTRA and not from the emails.

-- Edited by Mobi Condo on Friday 19th of March 2021 11:38:16 AM

RichardK · Senior Member

All our bills are DD have been for years, with the exception of car and caravan regos from the Dept of Tspt who don't offer that service, it is so convenient, only need to check when they are due that the correct amount has been deducted.
I also have a small program on my tablet called bills reminder which has listed in date and month order all my monthly recurring payments and also other bills which come occasionally and are put in as received, I find it gives me complete information every month.

Cheers
RichardK

Bobdown · Guru

We have a small limit, Fee Free Credit Card that we use for Direct Debit for Telstra, Foxtel etc, plus for any online purchases SWMBO makes.
That way if there is a problem the Bank can act for you as well as trying to deal with Telstra or whoever. You can set your on Credit Card limit to $1000 if you wish, paid off every month, avoid the stupid Rewards Cards,
$75,000 spend for a kettle etc.

Cheers Bob