Glossary of terms

Here are just a few of the terms and acronyms you wil come across when dealing with Direct Debits:

ADDACS: Automated Direct Debit Amendment and Cancellation Service

APACS: Association for Payment Clearing Services

ARUCS: Automated Return of Unapplied Credits

ARUDD: Automated Return of Unpaid Direct Debits

AUDDIS: The Automated Direct Debit Instruction Service

Bacs: A not-for-profit industry body that governs several payments schemes in the UK eg Direct Debit and Direct Credit

Bacstel-IP: A secure internet-based channel that allows service users to connect to Bacs

BIC: Bank Identifier Code

CHAPS: Clearing House Automated Payments System

DDI: Direct Debit Instruction

Direct Credit: An electronic credit transfer processed by Bacs

Direct Debit: A payment of an agreed amount collected from a customer's bank account

Lodgement: Where a paying bank accepts a Direct Debit Instruction (DDI)

PDD: Paperless Direct Debits

SEPA: Single Euro Payment Area

Service reference number (SRN): Unique customer reference number

Service user number (SUN): Unique number given to organisations authorised to use Direct Debit

If there is anything you do not understand, please contact me.