About 6 months ago my business account was transfered to santander from nat west. I september I was unable to earn due to ill health and so that I had control over my account I cancelled my direct debits with the intention of informing the payees that I had done so and that I would pay them via debit card. In october I incured £280 charges for bounced direct debits. I informed the bank that I had cancelled the direct debits but they said that I should have told the companies not to claim them. All my bills got paid by debit card and I thought everything was ok. This month I got £240 bank charges on direct debits that where cancelled 3 months ago. Am I wrong in assuming that once a direct debit is cancelled with the bank then the bank are honoured not to pay it even if the company claim it? If Im right then why the charges? Surley if these companies had tried to claim on the cancelled direct debit the bank should inform them that there is no direct debit in place and not pay it because it is cancelled and not because there are no funds to pay it. Where do I go from here? Any help gratefully received John