A merchant must have a Creditor Identifier to collect SEPA Direct Debit from payers. A Creditor Identifier is a unique reference which identifies each SEPA Direct Debit originator. This guide explains what a Creditor Identifier is and how to get one.
What is a Creditor Identifier?
A Creditor Identifier is a unique reference for organisations collecting payments by SEPA Direct Debit. It must be included in each SEPA Direct Debit collection and allows the payer and the payer’s bank to:
- Verify each SEPA Direct Debit
- Request refunds or make complaints
- Check the existence of a mandate when a payment is requested
Getting a SEPA Creditor Identifier
You can request a SEPA creditor identifier from a financial institution in the country in which you have your main office or residence - normally, the bank with which you hold your account.
Contact your bank to start the process. They will be responsible for its generation. This request can often be completed online and might take a few days. In some cases, your bank might need to take additional steps to issue a creditor identifier to you. When contacting your bank for your SEPA creditor identifier, make sure to clarify that you are not requesting that they process SEPA Direct Debit payments for you, but that you are asking for your creditor ID number.