[koyote]

In the UK that is (and has been for a while) the case:

If you set up a direct debit (allow a company to withdraw money from your account) you will be able to view all the details about it on your web banking (which company, how much and when the last debit occurred).

But most importantly, you can unilaterally cancel the direct debit from within the web banking interface. It will notify the company that you cancelled it on your side and you are guarnateed to not have any money withdrawn from them.

This makes life easier but does not solve the problem completely. Cancelling a direct debit does not cancel any debt you have (obviously) but it also doesn't cancel your account/contract with the company. So there is nothing stopping the company from continuing to bill you. It will just make it harder for the company to recuperate their money.

[tehwebguy]

Interesting, what if your bank account is a UK account but with a US based bank that also has branches in the UK (is that even a thing)?

[koyote]

This is UK specific, so if the bank has a UK banking licence and it implements direct debit then they have to adhere to those laws and regulations.