when i got messed about by natwest for them taking cash from my account when they offered to "upgrade" my account as i was a good customer i got no real responce
i sent 238 emails to there customer service team and i got them calling me 48 hours later,,,,,,,, they took a while to sort it out but i got my cash back and 400 quid compesation for my hassle/phone bill
if you sent the cards back thats proof enough you canceled,,,,,,,,, IF you never wrote ioff to em and canceled aswell as not contacted the bank ( as yoiu have to or they will take the money " by mistake"

) to cancel the direct debit then you are gon a have to rely on there customer service to help you out
has to be saiud though that the AA are one of the BETTER for customer service and they really do look after there members
shame that you aint one anymore