DebiCheck is a type of debit order that gets confirmation from you before a debit order is granted. In practice, if you’ve signed a credit agreement for a debit order for a new gym membership for example, you will receive a text message for example confirming this debit order agreement.
A DebiCheck mandate refers to the same process. It is the electronic confirmation that the debtor (consumer) gives the bank regarding the debit order. Electronic confirmation is usually done via SMS, internet or online banking or a banking app or email. This confirmation is sent through at the start of the contract and only again if key information has changed.
When you agree to the terms of the agreement, you do so by providing your acceptance through an electronic confirmation that is sent to you. This process is designed to be quick and efficient, ensuring that you can easily confirm your acceptance without the need for physical paperwork.
Typically, this electronic confirmation is delivered to you via SMS , which is a widely used method of communication that allows for instant delivery of messages to your phone.
Yes, because this is the final step in authorising that an agreed upon amount will be debited from your account.
No. You will have to check with the service or credit provider if they make use of it.
Meerkat makes use of DebiCheck to ensure that you have the power and are fully aware of all future debits that will be checked against the mandate to ensure their legitimacy.
DebiCheck was introduced in response to fraudulent debit order activity and a request made from the South African Reserve Bank (SARS) to the Payments Association of South Africa (PASA). Important to note is that PASA includes South African banks, so your bank will offer this service.
Usually you will have to approach the creditor with whom you have a credit agreement with to cancel the debit order. A bank cannot authorise this, but they can suspend or put a stop order in place regarding a debit order.
You can, in the case of a DebiCheck mandate with Capitec, suspend the debit order, but you would still have to contact the creditor to make arrangements for cancelling the contract or agreement.
Using the Standard Bank app you can stop a debit order by clicking on the "manage" tab and selecting the "debit orders" option. As is the case with Capitec, you will have to contact your creditor directly to cancel the credit agreement. Stopping or suspending a debit order does not mean the credit agreement has been cancelled.
You can dispute a DebiCheck collection, but because it was initially approved, it will be difficult for you to prove otherwise.
When you are sent the electronic confirmation, for example via text message to approve the debit order, and you do not approve it, your bank won't authorise the debit order.
The time period of the mandate is dependent on the credit agreement that you signed. However, the electronic mandate does have an end date because if there are any arrears payments that needs to be collected, it can be done.
When the contract has been completed, the creditor should issue a cancel mandate request. This will end the electronic mandate and should any collections be attempted in the future, they will be rejected. In this case, you are not required to approve the cancellation request. You will just receive an SMS confirming that the electronic mandate has been cancelled.
MyMeerkat FSP is an authorised financial services provider (FSP 50979). We help South African consumers do MORE with their money.
We do this by helping them get on top of debt with debt counselling, get affordable funeral cover, kick-start an emergency savings fund and get the debt review flag removed if they have settled all their debt!