If you were one of the unfortunates who paid their water charges bill but look unlikely to get any sort of refund – well, we may be able to help.

There’s a loophole that applies to anyone who has paid their bill in the last 8 weeks.

The “Direct Debit Sepa Refund”applies under the Consumer Debtor Rights section of legislation.

The Irish Banking and Payments Federation website states: “Under Sepa Regulation 260-2012 consumers can request for a refund for any Sepa direct debit within eight weeks from the date on which the Sepa direct debit was debited from their account.

“Within an eight-week period, the bank must refund on a ‘no-questions-asked’ basis.”

A spokeswoman for the Central Bank said: “The eight-week rule was introduced to give greater protection to customers when Sepa was introduced.

“A bank must make the refund, within their own procedures, but they cannot refuse to do it. It’s no-quibble.”

The enhanced consumer protection applying across all EU banks was introduced on February 1, 2014.

It allowed citizens to set up direct debits with countries in 27 member states and have their payments flowing as smoothly as in their home country.

However, the EU recognised the added challenges faced if something went wrong, and the rule was brought in to allow payments to stop, or be refunded, in the event of a dispute.

To get a refund, go into your bank and ask for the Direct Debit Sepa Refund Form, and the money will be returned, in most cases, within 24 hours.

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