Dennis Publishing Direct Debit Fraud

[UKSBD]

For the 2nd time in last 4 months I noticed that a Direct Debit was going out of my business account to Dennis Publishing, only small amounts, 1st time £1, 2nd time £5

I phoned Dennis up and the person on phone was apologetic and said she would cancel and report as fraud, pushing a bit further she said this is quite common and they are trying to stop it happening.

Apparently, if anyone has your bank account details they can set up magazine subscriptions with Dennis Publishing Online and the money will come out of your account.

Whether the fraud is by the person supposedly signing up to the subscriptions or someone at Dennis is anyone's guess.

Just cancelling the direct debit is no good as another can be set up, also cancelling it doesn't get your money back.

May be worth going through your statements to see if Dennis Publishing is taking unauthorised direct debit payments from you too.

 

[Blaby Loyal]

Weird - does the money taken actually go to Dennis Publishing or to one of our good friends like Dr Jonathan Akimwomba?

 

[UKSBD]

I phoned up Dennis and the impression I got was it goes to them.

Judging by what she said this is a very common occurrence.

Quite worrying that they can set up a Direct Debit without your knowledge.

 

[Newchodge]

I phoned up Dennis and the impression I got was it goes to them.

Judging by what she said this is a very common occurrence.

Quite worrying that they can set up a Direct Debit without your knowledge.

My bank shows a list of all DDs registered on the account. I have a look at it every week, so if needed I can cancel anything wrong before any money goes out.

 

[UKSBD]

It's terrible that they can be set up in the 1st place

Mine appears to have been set up on same day the money was taken 31st December

Cancelling it online doesn't get your money back either, I have just called in at my branch and they are claiming it back.

I've just done a dummy magazine subscription and all they ask for (after filling in fake details) is your sort code, account number and account name.

As there is a big industry in magazine affiliates it leaves it wide open to abuse with Dennis not really being to concerned about it as they make money as well as the affiliates

 

[mattk]

Dennis will be concerned, as they are the ones who the bank will reclaim the money from under the Direct Debit Guarantee. At the end of the day Dennis are out of pocket if they send out a product and the direct debit is then refunded.

 

[Mr D]

Dennis will be concerned, as they are the ones who the bank will reclaim the money from under the Direct Debit Guarantee. At the end of the day Dennis are out of pocket if they send out a product and the direct debit is then refunded.

If the banks get too many demands for refunding direct debits belonging to a company can they do anything about it?

 

[mattk]

If the banks get too many demands for refunding direct debits belonging to a company can they do anything about it?

Yes, they can reject that company's ability to set up new direct debit payments.

 

[UKSBD]

I asked my bank to stop them last time but they did it again just under 3 months later.
I have been assured this time by my bank that they wont be able to do it again, we shall see.