STRAIGHT TO THE POINT
WE WERE looking for pet insurance on a comparison site and found a policy with M&S Bank which offered new customers a £30 M&S voucher. My husband set up the policy, but after three months the voucher had not arrived.
I rang M&S and it said it would send a £30 cheque, but it has yet to arrive. C. H., North Lincs. mArks & spEncEr says you bought the policy through the comparison site, so you were not eligible for the voucher. it adds the £30 goodwill gesture cheque was never sent due to an admin error, and a spokesman says: ‘We are sorry the service fell below our usual high standards and we will send a £30 m&s gift card by way of apology.’ MY ENERGY bills were £101 a month, paid by direct debit. When I switched provider, British Gas said I owed £371.75. It took around £154 from my account straight away, then sent the remaining balance to a debt collection agency. I do not understand how this has happened. D. B., Chester. BritisH GAs says that based on the meter readings it received, the final balance is correct.
When you pay by direct debit, suppliers spread the cost of the power it expects you to use over 12 equal instalments. so you typically over-pay in summer, when you use less power, and the credit is used up over winter, when you have the heating on more. By switching in may, you left before your usage had levelled out. British Gas has now been in touch with a repayment plan. CAN my son, who is the executor of my estate, cancel my direct debits when I die? I am single and never have more than £3,000 in my account. If I die at the right time, this should be enough to help cover the funeral costs. D. C., by email. iF yoUr son has the relevant paperwork, he should be able to cancel direct debits.
the Financial conduct Authority, the city regulator, does not have specific rules as to how banks should manage this process. it says firms should be flexible and take into account individual needs. Banks have their own processes. For example, once Barclays is notified of a customer’s death, it freezes sole accounts within 24 hours and cancels direct debits and standing orders.