how do you set up a direct debit

[joanne mara]

What information is required in order to set up a direct debit, is a signature required

[jills]

yes, a signature from the account holder )or holders if joint account) is required to authorise and initiate payments. As is full bank details (ie acc no. and sort code).

[5029]

no, a signature is not required in every case. This is how come it is possible to set them up online (eg for phone bills etc), as I have done in the past

[rinkytink]

5029...I believe that what you have set up on-line is a standing order. For a Direct Debit you will need a signature. Don't ask me the difference between the two though !!

[jills]

I think (tho am by no means certain!) that a DD can be a variable amount, and the people you pay will request it from your bank at a regular date each month. A Standing Order cannot be a variable amount, it is the same each month and your bank will deposit it with whoever you have instructed them to pay. You must set it up for a specific period, whereas a DD can be taken from your account until you cancel it (or the people you are paying stop requesting it).

[rinkytink]

Yes...that sounds about right !

[Gef]

5029 is correct. I set up a direct debit on-line for my TV licence and obviously no signature was required.

[Michael H]

As a bank employee I can confirm no signature is required.

[BenDToy]

For information, a DD is initiated by the firm collecting the money, and is basically authorisation for them to take money from your account, and the amount is variable ie up to them. A SO is set up by the account holder and is an instruction to his bank to make a regular payment to a specific beneficiary.