direct debits and standing orders

Direct debits can be altered by your supplier.
Standing orders are for the same amount.

I think a standing order is when you control the amount and when the amount will come out of your account. An example might be a monthly donation of your choice to a charity or money into a student's account.

A direct debit is when the payee controls when it will come out and the amount too. A mortgage, rent payment or Council Tax perhaps.

That's how I understand it anyway.

I am able to cancel Direct Debit payments within my online banking app.

Judy you can cancel a DD yourself - you just need to ensure that you tell the recipient too .

I didn't know until last week.
I was helping my neighbour to try and sort out her finances, and I thought she was confused when she said they were two different things.

You are completely in control of a standing order . Only you can cancel it or change the amount . A direct debit is in the hands of the company you have mandated it to . However if they were to suddenly charge you a large amount the bank will reimburse you . Should you cancel a DD with the company make sure you tell the bank to cancel it too .This is where Internet banking is a good idea . You just cancel it yourself .

Thanks for the replies - I should have known, after all these years!

You can cancel a standing order online yourself, a direct debit is cancelled by the company you are paying.

A standing order is a fixed amount that your bank pays out of your account on your instructions at a fixed time - eg weekly , monthly , quarterly , yearly .

A direct debit is an amount taken out of your bank by your supplier’s bank . They can be for a variable amount or fixed amount with no set dates necessarily. You sign a Direct Debit Mandate allowing them to do this .

Standing orders are for the same amount each time they are paid out. Direct Debits are for however much the company receiving them says you owe them each time.