Originally Posted By: andy

Direct debits are the mechanism in the UK that is used for paying monthly bills automatically. You set up a direct debit instruction with a company and they use it to collect the money needed to pay your credit card bill, phone bill, magazine subscription etc

Ah, I see. That system exists here as well, but new direct deposits are never set up without:
- the owner of the bank account requesting this in person (or his plenipotentiary)
- a document is sent to the bank with the original signature of the bank account owner. And even then, in case of doubt, most banks will check with their customer (by phone or otherwise) to make sure the direct deposit request is above board.

I believe that's pretty safe.
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