Frequently Asked Questions

Bacs payment services are operated and managed by Pay.UK Limited, a membership organisation consisting of 16 of the UK's leading banks. It is a non profit organisation that is used by the Banks and other organisations to facilitate the transfer and collection of monies electronically through the banking system. It is run by a membership-based industry body and the entire process is closely regulated.

A BACS file is the method by which you submit your instructions to BACS. There are two types of submission to BACS: One is known as an AUDDIS file, the other is a Collection file. An AUDDIS file (AUDDIS = Automated Direct Debit Instruction Service) is a set of instructions relating to the setting up or cancellation of Direct Debit instructions, whereas a collection file consists of monetary collections. Whilst both types of instructions (AUDDIS & collections) can be submitted together (i.e. in one submission file,) BACS will nevertheless separate those instructions into two separate files.

We provide lifetime support by phone or email completely FREE OF CHARGE. So contact us on 0161 737 5290 or drop us an email at info@fastpayltd.co.uk with any queries you may have.

With FastPay you can upload your collection files as often or as seldom as you choose depending on your requirements. Some of our clients send us several files per day whilst others send their collection files just once a year!

Similar to the previous question, that is entirely up to you and is restricted only by the frequency with which you plan to upload files to us. It should be noted, that you can combine collections of multiple dates within the same file as long as the dates for each collection are provided within the file.

Yes, if you have opted for our Paperless option you will be able to accept instructions via your website or over the telephone without requiring the payer’s physical signature. You could either use our online Direct Debit sign-up pages which can be branded and customised to your bespoke requirements, or can create your own pages to be used. You can also always use a paper-based mandate to obtain your customer's authorisation.

The rules of the Direct Debit Scheme require that before making your first collection from any individual customer you must send them an Advance Notice of Direct Debit wherein you will confirm the bank details they have provided you with, the Direct Debit reference you will be using for your collections and the collection arrangement. FastPay will supply you with a template to this letter (and any other letters that you may need too).

Modulus checking (which allows you to validate your customer’s account details) is required by BACS prior to submitting any account details to them. FastPay provides the facility for you to carry out this check.

BACS reports are forwarded to you as soon as they are received. Bounced payments are almost always received the day after collection and other reports will be generated as and when they are actioned by the payer’s bank.

You can recharge them as soon as you choose, with or without informing payers. However, it is considered good practice to contact the payers either by calling or writing to them and inform or agree with them on a new collection date. This helps to ensure that they will have the required funds in their account to prevent yet another bounce.

ARUDD or Automated Returned Unpaid Direct Debit details payers that have not paid. ADDACS or Automated Direct Debit Amendments and Cancellations details payers that have either cancelled their Direct Debit Instruction through their bank or have had their account details amended, for example when moving banks.

It is easy as 1-2-3. You can download our one-page application form from the downloads page on our website and, once completed, fax or email a copy to us. We will respond with a short BACS questionnaire about your business activities and as soon as we have the answer to those question we will commence processing your application.