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Comment by mitxela

16 days ago

That's strange because all you need for direct debit authorisation is the account number and name, and a PNG image of a physical signature.

In Japan, that authorisation needs to come together with an official certification, something that’s only valid for 3 months and you have to get it yourself from the local justice branch office.

That’s definitely not the case in Europe. There’s no way to start a debit operation out of my account other than:

1. Something electronic that kicks of the thing where I need to enter the “ID codes” from device or app; 2. Being present at the bank and having been ID’d;

  • There definitely is, that’s how SEPA direct debit works.

    • yeah. I am also unsure why we do not see more fraud here. Is it because of the 8 weeks of no questions asked refund possibility for payers and up to 13 months for unauthorized/fraudulent transactions? Or does the 5 business days lead time to get direct-debit play a role?

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So I can walk to a bank, speak to the teller, and withdraw from any account number by showing them that signature? I think not