直接借记保证是英国的一项消费者保护措施，适用于使用直接借记作为支付方式的个人和企业。该计划规定，任何因错误或未经授权而进行的直接借记交易，都必须由付款人银行立即退款。根据直接借记保证，如果付款金额、日期或频率发生任何变化，付款人会提前收到通知。如果出现错误，例如企业提取了错误金额或在错误日期处理了付款，该计划保证客户能迅速获得全额退款。

在 2023 年，英国的直接借记清算系统 Bacs 处理了超过 48 亿笔直接借记交易，这些交易全部受该保证覆盖。以下内容将详细解释企业需要了解的直接借记保证，包括其运作方式、如何在保证保护下设立直接借记，以及常见误解。

目录

• 直接借记保证的运作方式
  
• 如何在保证保护下设立直接借记
  
• 关于直接借记保证的常见误解
  

How the Direct Debit Guarantee works

A direct debit mandate, also known as a Direct Debit Instruction (DDI), is the authorization that allows a business to collect payments directly from a payer’s bank account. The mandate must contain the following elements to be valid under the Direct Debit Guarantee:

• Payer’s details: The payer’s full name, address, and bank account details (account number and sort code). These details identify the payer’s bank and the account from which payments will be collected.

• Service user’s details: The business’s or service provider’s name, address, and service user number (SUN). The SUN is a unique identifier that Bacs issues to businesses to process direct debits.

• Authorization statement: The payer’s explicit authorization for the service provider to collect payments from their account. The wording must follow the Bacs guidelines.

• Guarantee statement: A mandated statement that outlines the payer’s rights under the Direct Debit Guarantee, including the right to an immediate refund for any incorrect or unauthorized payments.

• Advance notice clause: A statement of the requirement to provide advance notice (usually 10 working days) before any changes are made to the direct debit amount, frequency, or date.

• Signature (for paper-based mandates): The payer’s signature, to validate the authorization.

Companies can implement direct debit mandates through paper-based methods or digitally with online forms or electronic authorization. Each method has specific requirements and considerations.

Paper-based mandates

• Mandate creation: A paper-based mandate must include all the key elements outlined above. The form must be clearly printed and follow the layout and design standards set by Bacs to ensure that it is legible and compliant.

• Storage: Businesses are responsible for storing the signed paper mandates for at least as long as the agreement lasts.

• Processing: After the payer completes and signs the mandate, the company must submit the form to Bacs and then forward it to the payer’s bank. The bank manually verifies the details and stores the mandate.

Digital mandates (paperless direct debit)

• Mandate creation: Businesses can create digital mandates via secure online portals, telephone, or other electronic channels. The payer provides authorization by completing an online form or giving consent over the phone. This mandate must capture all the required information, just as with a paper form, but doesn’t require a physical signature.

• Storage: Companies store digital mandates electronically. These records are easier to manage, update, validate, and retrieve for auditing and compliance purposes.

• Processing: Digital mandates are processed in real time. Once the payer provides authorization online, Bacs or another payment network transmits their information to the payer’s bank. Businesses can automate early notifications to the payer if there are changes in payment amounts, dates, or frequencies.

• Security: Digital mandates must adhere to strict security standards to prevent fraud and unauthorized access. This often involves using two-factor authentication (2FA), secure login processes, or unique verification codes sent to the payer’s mobile device or email. These security measures ensure that the authorization is genuine and complies with regulatory requirements such as the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

如何在保证保护下设立直接借记

在实施直接借记时，企业需遵循多个重要步骤以确保合规性、维护客户信任并加强安全性。此处为分步指南。

获取服务用户号 (SUN)

若企业计划直接通过 Bacs 提交并开始通过直接借记收款，则需获取一个服务用户号 (SUN)。如果通过第三方间接提交，则可跳过此步骤。

选择纸质或数字授权

决定使用纸质授权还是无纸化的数字授权。两者都需要满足相同的保证标准，但纸质授权涉及客户填写和签署的实物表格，而数字授权是在线或通过电话填写的电子表格。

创建合规的授权表单

直接借记授权（或 DDI）是客户授权企业收款的表单。为确保符合直接借记保证要求，该表单必须包含付款人信息、企业信息、清晰的授权声明、直接借记保证声明，以及提前通知条款。

安全的客户授权

纸质授权：客户需填写并签署表单，企业随后通过 Bacs 将其发送至银行。数字授权：客户需在线填写表单或通过电话提供信息。使用双重验证等安全方法确认授权。

将授权提交至客户的银行

一旦获取签署的授权或数字授权，将其通过 Bacs 系统提交至客户银行。银行会接收详细信息、核查数据并确认设置。纸质授权：银行可能需要额外的人工检查，如验证客户签名。

提前通知客户

为符合直接借记保证要求，企业需向客户提前发送通知，告知首笔付款及任何金额、日期或频率的变更。通知期通常为付款前的 10 个工作日，但可与客户协商调整。

定期更新授权信息

定期审查并更新直接借记授权，尤其是当客户信息或付款计划发生变化时。这样可减少错误和争议，同时确保符合直接借记保证的要求。

处理赔偿请求

如果客户根据直接借记保证提出退款请求，且其银行认为请求合理，银行必须向客户退款，并向企业提出赔偿请求。企业需妥善管理这些赔偿请求，保留所有授权记录及变更记录。如果企业认为退款请求不合理，通常有 9 天时间提交争议证明，例如提供客户授权和正确交易处理的证据。

关于直接借记保证的常见误解

理解直接借记保证的运作方式对发送或接收直接借记的人都至关重要。以下是一些常见误解：

• 误解： 直接借记保证仅适用于企业犯错的情况，例如提取错误金额或在错误日期进行付款。

  • 事实：保证还覆盖未经授权的付款，即使企业完全按照授权操作。
    

• 误解： 根据直接借记保证申请退款是一个复杂且耗时的过程。

  • 事实：退款流程通常很简单，客户通常可直接向其银行申请退款。
    

• 误解： 直接借记保证仅涵盖一定金额范围内的退款。

  • 事实：保证没有退款金额上限，客户有权获得任何错误或未经授权付款的全额退款。
    

• 误解： 直接借记保证与撤单相同。

  • 事实：二者是不同的机制。撤单是针对银行卡支付的保护机制，而直接借记保证专用于直接借记付款。
    

• 误解： 企业有权拒绝根据直接借记保证提出的退款请求。

  • 事实：保证赋予客户法律权利，银行必须在符合条件的情况下提供退款。
    

• 误解： 直接借记保证适用于所有支付类型。

  • 事实：该保证仅适用于通过直接借记计划的付款，不包括其他支付类型，例如定期转账或银行卡支付。