Direct Debit Accreditation

This document will introduce the terminology which may by used by your Sponsor and the timescales involved in accreditation. It assumes some familiarity with the Direct Debit Service.

Some Sponsoring Banks may require you to perform accreditation testing before you can start to use the DataCash Direct Debit Service.

Please contact your Sponsoring Bank to see if they require this to be done. They will also be able to advise on the volumes required to complete accreditation.

Preparation for Accreditation

It is highly advisable to have tested your application against the dedicated DataCash test server prior to accreditation with your Sponsor, as this will assist with a speedy accreditation process.

Sponsor Requirements

Your Sponsoring Bank will have certain expectations of the data used for the accreditation process. These may vary depending upon your Sponsor, but are generally:

  • the submitted transactions should use data that could conceivably be used in a live situation:
    • the customer names should be realistic
    • the sort code and account details should be valid. If you have existing DDIs, or have gathered customer details in anticipation of submission, these would be ideal to use for testing. Your Sponsor may be able to provide test details otherwise.
  • the DDI reference numbers should be of the format previously agreed with your Sponsor.
  • each setup should contain unique data

Performing Accreditation

Your Sponsoring Bank will normally ask you to submit a set of transactions within a single file. They are likely to use the following terminology:

  • 0N - a new DDI. On the DPG, this corresponds to a successful one stage or a successfully completed two stage transaction.
  • 0C - cancellation of an existing DDI. On the DPG, this corresponds to a revoke.

    • Accreditation normally takes place over several working days.

    In order to start the accreditation process, you should first contact DataCash Support. The Support Team will configure your account to allow accreditation. This can be done in advance if required.

    The second step for Day One is to submit the required number of DDIs to the DPG. These DDIs will be revoked on Day Two, to form the 0C transactions.

    Day Two

    On the second - or subsequent - working day, the existing DDIs should be revoked to form the 0Cs, and a new set of DDIs submitted to create the 0Ns.

    Please ensure that this submission process is completed between 01:00 and 23:59. The DPG automated settlement process generates the files for transmission to BACS between 00:00 and 0:59. If the transactions are not completed within the specified time, they may be sent to BACS in more than one file.

    After Accreditation

    The DPG will deliver your accreditation file to BACS on the third working day.

    Your Sponsoring Bank will inform you directly of the results of the accreditation testing and your live date. This date is the earliest date on which transactions can be processed via BACS on your account.

    Please inform DataCash of the result of the accreditation process and your live date. This will allow us change the status of your account from accreditation to live at the appropriate time.