Do I need to cancel my direct debit when my contract ends?

[La2]

Hi, do I need to cancel my direct debit when my contract ends? I've read online that money can be taken up to 38 days after my number has moved to another provider, but I want to make sure I am not charged for another month. I also read that if you cancel a direct debit before the final payment is taken, it will be marked as unpaid and impact your credit score.

[JonathanB · Accepted solution]

Hi @La2,

Sorry if the 38 days has caused any confusion, we need to allow this amount of time to ensure that all billing data is collected, and that your account is 100% up to date, but your final bill will be calculated to the date your number switches to your new provider.

Depending on when your switching date falls in relation to your normal bill date, the final bill will usually either be less than normal, or a refund, assuming that you don't have any extra usage charges (e.g. premium or international calls), and that you did complete the minimum term and don't have an early termination fee.

For example if you switch 15 days into your bill cycle, the final bill will be about half the normal amount, or if you switched on a date which was already covered by the previous bill, then we'll work out how many extra days you've paid and return that to you.

Direct Debits don't trigger open ended continuous payments, they bill for exactly what your due balance is, it's not like a standing order which will pay a fixed amount month after month. So there's absolutely no harm in this being open for a month or two extra, we won't request a payment if nothing is due.

Hope this helps, and all makes sense! Let me know if you need anything clarified further.

Thanks,
Jonathan

[La2]

Thank you so much for the explanation, all makes perfect sense 🙂 

[JonathanB]

You're most welcome 🙂

Sorry to hear that you're switching, but I hope you'll consider Three again in the future if anything changes.

[Paddiewack]

If you want to leave Three when your contract ends then tell customer service your wish and when the final payment leaves your bank then cancel the d/d at that point.

Job done!