Reversing a direct debit after a fake shop purchase
You can have an authorised SEPA core direct debit refunded by your bank within 8 weeks of the debit, without giving a reason. If you never gave a mandate, a 13-month deadline applies. The bank must refund or refuse within 10 business days.
Calculate your deadline
Deadline: 8 weeks from the debit, 13 months for an unauthorised direct debit. Starts: Day of the debit to your account.
Enter the date. The calculator then shows the end of the deadline and the days left.
- 8 weeksno reason needed
- 13 monthsonly without a mandate
The calculator counts calendar days and runs only in your browser. It does not replace information from your bank, whose terms apply.
Step by step
Find the debit date and mandate reference on your bank statement.
Ask your bank for the refund, via online banking, form, branch or phone.
Within the 8 weeks you do not need to give a reason.
If you never allowed a direct debit, say so explicitly. Then the 13-month deadline applies.
Get the refund confirmed. The bank must refund within 10 business days or tell you why it refuses.
What to say and write
Call first, then send a written confirmation. Replace the square brackets with your details. Never include passwords, PINs or TANs; no legitimate party will ask for them.
On [date] a direct debit of [amount] euros in favour of [payee] was taken from my account, mandate reference [reference]. I request a refund of this direct debit under § 675x BGB. Please confirm the reversal in writing.
Hello, on [date] my account [own IBAN] was debited with a SEPA direct debit of [amount] euros. Payee: [payee] Mandate reference: [reference] I request a refund of this amount under § 675x BGB. The direct debit relates to an order from [shop address] that was not delivered. [Only if applicable: I never gave the payee a direct debit mandate. The direct debit was not authorised.] Please confirm the refund in writing. Kind regards [Name]
Attach the order confirmation, proof of payment and your message to the shop.
What you will be asked
- Debit date, amount, payee and mandate reference.
- Whether you agreed to the direct debit.
- If there was no mandate: a short statement that you did not allow a direct debit.
What to avoid
- Do not ask the shop first and let the 8 weeks pass. The refund does not depend on what the shop says.
- Do not claim there was no mandate if you agreed in the shop.
- For PayPal funded by direct debit: do not hastily reverse the debit to PayPal. Use PayPal Buyer Protection first.
Background
How this route works
The claim is against your own bank, not the shop, and exists regardless of whether the shop is a fake. Fake shops rarely offer direct debit because it is so easy to reverse. If a direct debit appears that you never allowed, it may also mean that someone is using your account details from the shop.
What the law says
For a direct debit you paid via PayPal, PayPal is the payee. According to its user agreement, PayPal reserves the right to resubmit the debit after a reversal. There, buyer protection is usually the right route.
Do this in parallel
- Overview for those affectedOrder of steps, evidence, securing accounts.
- File a police reportOnline police station for your state.
Other payment methods
- PayPal Buyer Protection180 days from payment for the dispute, then 20 days for the buyer protection claim
- Credit card (chargeback)No statutory deadline; the card networks set it, your bank tells you the one that applies
- Klarna buyer protection120 days for “item not received”
- Bank transfer and instant transferNo reversal deadline; recall via the recipient’s bank, answer within 15 banking days
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to give my bank a reason?
Not within the 8 weeks. § 675x (2) BGB gives you a refund right for SEPA core direct debits without giving reasons.
What applies after the 8 weeks?
Only if the direct debit was not authorised, i.e. without your mandate. For that, § 676b (2) BGB gives you 13 months from the debit.
How fast must the bank refund?
It must refund the amount within 10 business days or tell you why it refuses.
What if I paid by PayPal with direct debit?
Then PayPal is the payee and, according to its user agreement, reserves the right to resubmit the direct debit after a return. PayPal buyer protection is therefore usually the right route.
This overview is independent editorial consumer information and not legal advice. It reflects German law and the terms of the providers named as of the check date. The current terms of your bank or payment provider are authoritative. For your individual case, a consumer advice centre or a lawyer can help.