Some people get concerned about so called paperless direct debits. These can be originated without your having to sign an authority but there is nothing sinister.

You are still protected through the Direct Debit guarantee.

My mobile phone operator used this when I set up my mobile phone account with them.

Originators cannot set up a DD if they do not have your bank details, and you are protected by the direct debit guarantee if something turns up on your account which you don't agree with.

Here is information from the BACS site:

AUDDIS
Automated Direct Debit Instruction Service
AUDDIS automates the transfer of Direct Debit Instructions (DDIs) from collecting organisations to the paying banks and building societies via BACS. With AUDDIS, the Originator keeps the original signed DDI and sends the details to the paying bank electronically to validate and, if accepted, set up the Instruction on its database.

By automating the exchange of DDI details between Originators and banks, manual handling is reduced thus leading to fewer errors, DDI details are processed faster and more efficiently, eliminating the need for the paying bank to re-key the details Any invalid Instructions rejected by the paying banks and building societies are returned via BACS using ADDACS.

Paperless Direct Debit
The Paperless Direct Debit service enables organisations to sign up customers for Direct Debit collections by telephone, the Internet, telephone keypad or face-to-face. Direct Debit arrangements can be set up without the Payer having to sign a paper DDI. The Originator obtains the Payer's bank account details and the Originator lodges the DDI with the paying bank via AUDDIS. Paperless Direct Debit is therefore only available to organisations using the AUDDIS service and who can satisfy stringent additional criteria.

Direct debits can be set up without a signed authority

Customers still have the protection of the direct debit guarantee.

Our main page about direct debits is here, including knowing your rights.

The official message about ordinary direct debits is buried in frames in the site of the the Association for Payment Clearing Services.