That is true but its only after they have already sent you a reminder (ie its the second reminder).
Quote:If we are unable to collect any payment by direct debit (for whatever reason) we will:
(a) be entitled to suspend your access to the Service;
(b) send written notification giving you 10 calendar days to pay all outstanding amounts in full; and
(c) charge you an administration fee of £5 together with interest at 3% above the base rate from time to time of Barclays Bank PLC.
If, following our notification, we are still unable to recover all payments due, or if your account remains wholly or partly outstanding for any other reason we will:
(a) send a further written notification requiring you to discharge your account in full within 7 calendar days from the date of this notification, failing which we reserve the right to suspend or terminate the Service or otherwise refer your outstanding account to a third party collection service (in which case you will be responsible for all costs that are incurred by us in taking such action); and
(b) charge you a further administration fee together with a fee for the submission of the further written notification. We reserve the right to charge an administration fee up to £1 per e-mail enquiry made to our customer services department and should we do so, this amount will be added to your monthly invoice.
Basically, if the direct debit fails they will first charge you an administration fee of £5 together with interest at 3% above the base rate. If they then still have to send out another reminder you will be charged the £1 fee for the email.
A lot of companies charge for failed payments of direct debit but as far as I'm aware none of them charge £5 and interest at 3%. This must be the highest non-payment fine I've come across.
One thing that I think must be wrong is, "If we are unable to collect any payment by direct debit (
for whatever reason) we will:" Now if the problem is their end for whatever reason then surely this t&c is unfair and we shouldn't have to pay for their mistake. I'm sure even our useless OfCOM would even agree with this.