Monthly Giving FAQ

What is a Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD)?

Why are there people in CAMH T-shirts at my door?

How does a PAD work?

What if I don't have enough funds in my bank account to cover a pay a Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD)?

If an unauthorized or incorrect PAD caused an overdraft in my account at my financial institution, will I be reimbursed for non-sufficient fund charges?

How do I change or cancel a PAD agreement?

What happens if a PAD is processed to my account incorrectly?

Can CAMH Foundation change the amount of a PAD?

What happens if I want to change the account to which PADs are processed?

Answers based on Canadian Payments Association (CPA) guidelines.

What is a Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD)?

A pre-authorized debit (PAD) is a withdrawal from your account at a financial institution that is initiated by CAMH with your authority. PADs are often used as a convenient way to make recurring payments to an organization on an ongoing basis.

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Why are there people in CAMH T-shirts at my door/ on my street?

Have you seen CAMH Foundation’s representatives on your street? Our representatives are going door-to-door looking for people to join Light Up a Life and answer questions.

They can be identified by a CAMH Foundation T-shirt and photo ID Badge. Please note for security reasons they cannot accept cash donations.

For this initiative we have partnered with Public Outreach, a highly reputable fundraising organization which adheres to all industry codes of practice. If you would like to confirm the identity of a door-to-door representative, please call us at 1-800-414-0471.

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How does a PAD work?

You (the Payor) make arrangements for PAD payments directly with the biller (CAMH Foundation). You and CAMH Foundation establish an agreement in which you authorize the withdrawals, either through a written form that you sign, or through our web site or over the telephone. The agreement must specify the amount of the PAD. It must also specify the timing, frequency or event that will result in a PAD, as well as the account from which the funds are to be withdrawn. It also indicates the procedure for cancelling the PAD and provides contact information for CAMH Foundation.

CAMH may request a blank cheque to confirm your account details and the transit number for your branch; if so, be sure to write “VOID” in ink on the front of the cheque, and do not sign it. It is suggested that you keep a copy of the authorization form, or the written confirmation that you will receive from us (in print or online) in the case of a PAD that you set up by telephone, check your statement or passbook regularly to confirm that withdrawals are being made in accordance with it.

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If I don’t have enough funds in my account to cover a PAD and it is returned due to non-sufficient funds, can CAMH Foundation try to debit my account again? Can they apply non-sufficient fund charges to the next debit?

Under the provisions of the CPA’s Rule H1, if a PAD is returned due to insufficient funds, CAMH Foundation may re-attempt to process the payment once, and this must be done within 30 days of the original transaction date for the same amount as the original transaction (i.e. CAMH Foundation cannot charge service fees).

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If an unauthorized or incorrect PAD caused an overdraft in my account at my financial institution, will I be reimbursed for non-sufficient fund charges?

The CPA’s mandate does not extend to service fees that may be charged by financial institutions, so this is not addressed in the CPA’s Rule H1. You will need to discuss the matter with your financial institution.

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How do I change or cancel a PAD agreement?

You should immediately contact Kate Dudley at 416.535.8501 ext. 36442, if there is a change of information relating to your account (e.g. account number, type of account, financial institution) 15 days before the processing date (1st or 19th, depending on your agreement). Failing to do so may cause a PAD to be processed against your original account.

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What happens if a PAD is processed to my account incorrectly?

Please notify Lee Gounden at 416.535.8501 ext. 34093 immediately if any withdrawal from your account is not in accordance with the terms of your agreement (e.g. different amount or date), or processed after you have cancelled the agreement.

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Can CAMH Foundation change the amount of a PAD?

If it is a fixed amount PAD agreement, the only way a payment can be changed is if Pre-notification is provided in writing at least 10 days before each and any change in the amount of a PAD.

What happens if I want to change the account to which PADs are processed?

Please provide a blank cheque to confirm the new account details. Be sure to write “VOID” in ink on the front of it, and do not sign it. Submit the cheque to Lee Gounden 15 days before the processing date (1st or 19th, depending on your agreement).

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To find out more about PADs, please visit the Canadian Payment Association's FAQ for Pre-Authorized Debit.