O.K. folks
The Gilligan Enterprises ‘self-help’ department has done the investigation.
I have just spoken with Donna Millichamp, who has confirmed that the eMail is genuine.
There is a paragraph about Direct Debit in the wrapper-page of HJ, and her eMail message [which all Direct Debit subscribers should receive] is a follow-up to that.
Donna will also be posting a message on Facebook
… any queries: Please eMail her
MichaelG.