• Transfers in France and Europe are SEPA transfers, protected by a mandate

  • The cessation of a direct debit can be temporary or permanent (end of mandate)

  • In the event of a request to stop direct debit, the supplier should be informed by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, and the bank should also be notified.

  • In case of opposition, it is the bank that must be contacted by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt, and notify the supplier to find common ground.

  • Regardless of the type of blocking chosen, you are required to pay the amounts due to the supplier

  • In some cases, a disputed direct debit to result in a refund from your bank

Direct debits allow you to pay a sum of money without using a bank card.

They can be automatic, like paying electricity bills every month.

Since 2014, automatic transfers in France and Europe have been made using the SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) system.

A direct debit mandate is created to authorize the withdrawal of a sum of money from your account.

Opposition to a direct debit or revocation?

A direct debit is a transfer of money from your account to another account without resorting to the use of its bank card, cash or check.

It can be occasional or regular:

  • Punctual: payment of a good or service in several instalments free of charge, the direct debit will cease once the due date has arrived.

    The creditor is obliged to inform the customer of the direct debit at least 14 days in advance.

  • Automatic: monthly payment of the telephone bill, a single mandate signature activates the authorization to deduct a certain amount from your bank account each month.

For various reasons, you can decide to block or stop a direct debit: change of bank, telephone operator, or even a dispute with your supplier.

A distinction must be made between the suspension and the revocation of the direct debit:

  • Suspension or opposition: one or more payments are blocked but the mandate is still valid and will resume once an agreement has been reached.

  • Revocation: end of direct debit mandate, automatic payments cease and a new mandate will be needed to restart them

This action can be done remotely online or by telephone, but it is advisable to accompany it with a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.

If the blocking of a direct debit is legal (article 2004 of the Civil Code), the customer is still required to pay what he owes the creditor, and will have to pay the amount due, regardless of the method of payment.

Permanently block a direct debit

To definitively stop a direct debit, the mandate must be terminated:

  • Inform the creditor of your decision via a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt

  • Notify the bank of the cessation of direct debits

    • It is necessary to inform the creditor so that he can register your stop payment request.

    If necessary, he will be able to claim the unpaid sums from you.

    A request to stop direct debit from the bank is generally free, but some banks reserve the right to apply fees, which appear on their tariff brochure.

    Oppose a direct debit

    In the event that you would like to temporarily suspend a direct debit, as in the case of a dispute with your creditor, you can oppose:

    • Opposition to direct debit with account number: this action will block all direct debits that take place on the indicated account, these may be payments for different suppliers

    • Opposition with the name of the creditor: only creditor transfers will be suspended, transfers for other creditors will be maintained

    • Opposition to a Unique Mandate Reference (RUM): only the reference of the mandate concerned will be suspended

    In any case, you will need to provide the following information to your bank:

    • Account number from which the direct debit is made

    • Direct debit due date

    • Direct debit amount

    • Ground for opposition

    It is advisable to inform the bank, at least 24 hours before the expiry so that the request is well taken into account.

    Cancel a direct debit objection

    An opposition to a direct debit is generally a time-limited action.

    Without action on your part, the opposition will end on the scheduled deadline.

    If necessary, the opposition can be canceled by notifying your bank and the creditor.

    Dispute a direct debit

    If the direct debit has already taken place, it can be refunded to you in certain cases:

    • Unauthorized or incorrectly executed direct debit: you have 13 months to contest the transaction, and it is up to the bank to reimburse you

    • Contesting an authorized direct debit: the operation can be contested up to 8 weeks after the transfer date.

      The bank can then decide whether or not to reimburse you.



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