Bacs bogus report emails

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION FROM BACS

Bacs has advised on their website that there are fake emails being circulated to mimic the automated reports from the Payment Services website. These emails are bogus and any attachments should not be opened.

How to spot a bogus email?

• they DO NOT state your Service User Number
• They DO NOT state your Service User Name
• They contain an attachment – DO NOT OPEN

More information can be found on the Bacs website by clicking the link below:

http://www.bacs.co.uk/Bacs/Corporate/Resources/Pages/FakeEmails.aspx

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Bacs Easter processing dates 2013

As Easter approaches, it is important to know that there are non-processing days over the Easter bank holiday so you ensure your Direct Debits and Direct Credits get processed on time.

The Bacs Easter timetable for submission and payments is below:

If you use Rapidata for submitting your files, please be aware of the dates above to allow enough time for the Bacs files to be submitted. For all Rapidata Direct Debit Managed Service clients, there is no action required, as we will ensure payments are submitted correctly.

If you have any questions or if you require assistance with your collections over this period, please do not hesitate to call us on 01293 601111.

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Bacs launch new Service User Mircosite

Bacs has created a fantastic new microsite to allow Direct Debit and Direct Credit Service Users to have access to key information and resources when operating under these payment methods. It is easy to register, just click here.

Last week, an update to the new Service User Guide was published and can be easily downloaded from the Bacs website. Version 3.8 of the Direct Debit Scheme rules contained clarity of the rules in section 7 relating to individual Direct Debits over £20 million.

As a Bacs Approved Bureau, Rapidata will always keep up to date with changes to the Service User’s Guide and Rules and will advise our clients of any impact the changes may have. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing info@rapidata.co.uk or calling 01293 601111.

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Download the Bacs 2013 processing calendar

The Bacs 2013 processing calendar is now available in .pdf format from the Bacs website.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

The Bacs processing calendar is a valuable tool to help ensure that important processing dates don’t get missed over the holiday periods.

At Rapidata we ensure that all our Direct Debit processing takes these dates into consideration so our clients and their payers have the Direct Debits taken correctly and without delay.

It is recommended that all staff that are involved in the setting up & processing of Direct Debits, be made aware of the Bacs processing dates. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Account Manager or our Support Team support@rapidata.co.uk.

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New Bacs Direct Debit Scheme Rules – December 2012

The latest edition of the Bacs Service User Guide and Rules to the Direct Debit Scheme have just been released.

The Service User’s Guide and Rules to the Direct Debit scheme v3.7 can be downloaded from Bacs by clicking here

The  main changes are:

• The requirement for a service user to have a registered address in the UK has been removed
• Changes to the DDIC exceptions process. Claims for £100,000 and above now go directly to the sponsoring bank.
• ‘Mandatory layout of confirmation letter’ has been changed to ‘Suggested layout of confirmation letter’
• Appendix covers further information included on variations to standard set up

If you have any questions on how these may affect you, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Bacs Christmas 2012 processing dates

As staff start to talk about Christmas parties and time off over the festive period, it’s a good time to start preparing for the processing of your Direct Debits and Direct Credits over that period. There are three non-processing dates that need to be accounted for when planning your submissions.

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Direct Debit software license renewal – time to review?

Recently we’ve seen a lot of acquisition in the Direct Debit software market place and one that doesn’t surprise me. The current economic background lends itself to mergers and acquisitions – but is it good for customers?

In some cases yes but I have been surprised to hear, for some, that come renewal time the annual license fee is increased quite significantly. Now there may be a good reason for this but before you renew, it’s worth comparing the renewal cost you’re facing with a quote from Bacs approved bureau for processing and managing your Direct Debits.  You may find a better deal, not only in cost but in processing and analysis efficiencies, and useful added value in expert advice and complementary/innovative services that could give you competitive advantage.

At Rapidata, we take a flexible approach to the setup of each of our clients knowing that each will have different processes they would like us to tailor with. If our experience tells us there is an easier way to setup, manage and submit Direct Debits, we will always make recommendations to see if we can improve the data flow for easier, faster and more effective management for both parties.

So, if it’s nearing that renewal time or your would like the security of a Bacs approved bureau as a contingency for those unforeseen emergencies that can bring your payments to a grinding halt, get in touch today for a no obligation quote.

Call us for a chat on 01293 601111 or drop us an email at info@rapidata.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you.

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AUDDIS rule change from January 2013

Bacs has recently sent out a reminder to all AUDDIS Direct Debit Service Users that from January 2013 there is a rule change.

All Direct Debit service users who are generating an AUDDIS 0C (cancellation) message to the old bank following receipt of an ADDACS (Advice of Direct Debit Amendment and Cancellation Service) message containing a reason code 3 must review their processes.

If your Direct Debits are managed by Rapidata, you can ignore these emails from Bacs as Rapidata has updated its processes to ensure these changes are adhered to.

Bacs has published the following useful advice:

Under what circumstances is this likely to happen?

• When an account holder switches their bank account, the new financial institution will help switch regular payments (including Direct Debits) to their new account
• The new financial institution sends an ADDACS advice with reason code 3 to each service user collecting Direct Debits from the old account
• The ADDACS advice contains details of both the old and new account. It is the authority for the service user to update their records. Under the Scheme Rules the service user must action these advices immediately or within 3 working days
• Additionally, AUDDIS service users are required to send a 0N transaction to the new financial institution to set up the Direct Debit Instruction on the new account. Under the Scheme Rules service users must submit the 0N transaction within 10 working days (of receipt of the ADDACS advice)
• Whilst not required under the Rules, some service users also send a 0C transaction to the old financial institution. This transaction serves no purpose as the old financial institution will cancel the Direct Debit Instruction automatically when it closes the account or when advised to do so by the new financial institution

Why are the rules changing?

• A new Account Switching Service is being introduced in 2013 that will include a number of new features including the ability, in some instances, to redirect Bacs transactions for a period of time
• Where the redirection facility is used, this will include AUDDIS transactions such as 0C’s to ensure other Bacs services such as Bulk Change continue to operate effectively

Why should service users change their processes?

• It is possible, in certain circumstances, that the 0C transaction could cancel the Direct Debit which has been set up as a result of submission of the 0N transaction following an ADDACS reason code 3 advice
• This could result in a subsequent Direct Debit collection failure – something that won’t benefit service users or their customers

Does this rule change affect all AUDDIS Direct Debit service users?

• Not all AUDDIS service users will have to make changes. A service user that doesn’t generate a 0C transaction as described above, has nothing to do.

 Where can service users get further information?

• For information about AUDDIS and Account Switching processes see The Service User’s Guide and Rules to the Direct Debit Scheme (sections 15 and 17)
• The AUDDIS process is described in The AUDDIS Service Definition
• These documents are all accessible from the subscriber library in the resources section of the Bacs website. To access them you will require access to the password protected area of the website. If you have not subscribed for a password to access this do so now.
• Service users are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to review their own systems but if they have any specific questions or concerns they should contact their sponsoring bank.

The change becomes effective from January 2013

Is now a good time to contact us for a no obligation quote to manage and process your Auddis and Direct Debits?

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Thinking Paperless Direct Debit?

We explore why organisations are moving to Paperless Direct Debits (PDD) and give an introduction to the PDD service.

Organisations looking to make it easier for customers to sign-up to Direct Debit via online, keypad or telephone must be approved for Paperless Direct Debit and have Auddis setup under their Direct Debit Service User Number (SUN). Once setup, there are a number of advantages:

• Offering Paperless Direct Debit at ‘point of sale’ can eliminate much of the paperwork and increase sign-up
• Eliminates delays in postage and saves on postage
• Applying modulous checking at ‘point of sale’ ,which is mandatory for PDD, ensures the payer’s bank details are correct, speeding up the sign-up process and reducing costly administration follow-up after the event
• Telephone PDD sign-up can increase sales conversions
• Better service – what your customers or supporters have come to expect as standard as a simple and convenient way to setup a Direct Debit.

All sounds great but how can I get setup?

1. First you must have a Direct Debit Service User Number. If you haven’t got one, please contact your Bank or give us a call to discuss how you get setup.

2. So, you have a SUN but are you setup under Auddis? You need this to be able to lodge the Direct Debit electronically to Bacs.If you are unsure, speak to your Bank’s Bacs department.

3. Great – you have a SUN and it’s setup under Auddis, All you need to do now is apply for PDD, get the Internet or telephone scripts approved and ensure at least two people within your organisation complete the online training. If you are a client of Rapidata, we can help with all of this, aswell as getting you setup online. If you are not using our services but would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact us as we would love to hear from you.

Paperless Direct Debit is a fantastic way to get more payer’s signed up to Direct Debit. The process can sometimes sound complicated but as a Bacs Approved Bureau we are here to make it as simple a process as possible so you and your payers can start benefiting from PDD.

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Understanding AUDDIS

As a Bacs Bureau, we use the word AUDDIS on a daily basis and was one of the first Bureaux to implement the scheme but what does it mean and why have it?

AUDDIS stands for the Automated Direct Debit Instruction Service. Put quite simple, rather than sending paper Direct Debit mandates to the payer’s bank, these are sent electronically. It makes the processing of the Direct Debit Instructions easier, faster, more efficient and cost-effective.

So what are the benefits?

• No postage costs for setting up Direct Debits. Now with the recent increase in postage rates, why pay to send an Instruction when you can do so electronically!
• provides faster identification of invalid bank account details. This means you can follow up with the payer quickly to resolve and reduces your unpaid items, which in turn results in less bank charges.
• reduces the lodgement time, so you can collect sooner.
• you provide a better service through reduced processing delays and fewer manual steps
• minimises paperwork and manual input
• reduces the potential for error
• Saves time
• Ability to add Paperless Direct Debit. Only when you have AUDDIS can you accept Direct Debits online or via the phone

When we are all looking to save costs and improve processes, if you are currently processing Direct Debits but not under AUDDIS, why not consider migrating to AUDDIS now? Rapidata is able to provide a no obligation quote or alternatively you can find out more information by contacting your Sponsoring Bank.

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