Direct Debit for Utilities
L&Z provide high-volume Direct Debit collections that reduce first-payment failures, protect against fraud and offer the stability to run billing without interruption
Overview
The billing challenges facing utility businesses
Utility companies collect from thousands – sometimes tens of thousands – of customers each month. At that scale, even a small failure rate translates into a significant operational problem. First-payment failures, fraudulent sign-ups and incorrect bank details all create costs that compound across high-volume billing runs.
The consequences of payment failures in utilities go beyond cash flow. Failed collections trigger customer service activity, re-billing cycles and, in some cases, debt management processes that are costly to operate. Fraud at the point of sign-up, where false bank details are submitted, creates additional exposure that manual checks can’t keep pace with.
Validation is the first line of defence. Confirming that bank details are correct, accounts are genuine and identities match before a single collection is attempted prevents the vast majority of these failures from ever occurring.
London & Zurich combines high-volume Direct Debit processing with built-in validation tools to give utility billing teams the accuracy, security and throughput they need.
How London & Zurich supports utility companies
High-volume Direct Debit processing
Our platform is built to handle large billing runs reliably. Whether you’re processing thousands of household accounts or managing complex multi-tariff billing cycles, collections run accurately and on schedule, with full visibility in the portal throughout.
Bank account validation at point of sign-up
Validate Plus runs real-time modulus checks on bank details at the moment a new customer signs up, confirming sort code and account number combinations against the live bank data, before any collection is attempted. This eliminates a significant proportion of first-payment failures before they occur, and is an essential requirement for Bacs compliance.
Confirmation of Payee (CoP)
For higher-risk sign-ups, Confirmation of Payee verifies that the account holder’s name matches the bank account provided, a key fraud prevention step. CoP is increasingly expected by regulators and is an important part of any robust utility onboarding process.
Failed payment management and re-presentation
When collections do fail, our platform notifies you promptly and makes it straightforward to re-present or retry the Direct Debit collection. A clear record of all failed collections is maintained for audit and regulatory purposes.
Scalability
Economies of scale are incredibly important in this sector. Our service provides a solution that will suit your needs, and help you grow.
Integration
No matter what your infrastructure, or which financial software you use, our systems integrate with all the essential suppliers and systems.
Secure data
As a Bacs Approved Bureau, we adhere to GDPR rules in managing all data, hold Cyber Essentials Plus certification an use measures like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to keep payment data safe.
APIs
Our interface allows you to easily tap into the functionality of our software and access all the information you need from the terminal of your choice.
It's never been easier
Setting up Direct Debit and card payment services through London & Zurich means, as well as getting paid quickly and on time, you enjoy all the other benefits of our service.
We prioritise security and compliance in handling payments and our systems ensure the safe storage and protection of financial, personal, and corporate information.
To keep payment data safe, we use security measures like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and store information exclusively on UK servers. We adhere to GDPR rules in managing all data and our Bacs Approved Bureau status subjects us to regular inspections, ensuring we consistently meet high standards in security, confidentiality, integrity, and service availability. To find out more about security, head over to our dedicated page.
The smooth running of your payment collections is our priority. We place a great deal of importance on our personal approach to customer service and problem solving, and welcome your feedback. We like to build great relationships with our clients and our team will always be at the end of the phone.
It’s never been easier to set up with London & Zurich. Talk to our friendly support team today and let us know what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ready to make Direct Debit work harder for your business?
We understand that adopting a new payment method or switching Direct Debit provider can feel daunting, but our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Whether you’re new to Direct Debits, switching providers or looking to get more from your existing setup – we’re here to help.