Final demand from an ISP
Discussion
So without naming names but am having an issue with an ISP chasing me for cash...
The situation:
- Bought my flat and completed in May
- Previous owner with the ISP in question
- Was originally intending to continue the previous owners contract but decided against it following advice on here and the fact I wouldn't be moving in for a while
- When I eventually moved in I had satellite TV with associated broadband installed
- Last month I noticed that the ISP in question was taking money directly from my account and had been for months since I competed, not a huge amount - c.£70 total
- I didn't know what they were about and did a chargeback under the DD guarantee after not being able to contact them - couldn't without a phone number (as a reference) which I didn't have....and still don't
- Had a final demand come through for £230 yesterday
-Tried calling but still couldn't as I have no telephone number as have never had any paperwork or even seen a contract, price plan or anything to identify myself
- Ended up on an online chat and the operative basically said there is amount in your name and therefore it's your bill, will only go away when paid (this wont be happening any time soon)
- Got nowhere on there as was going around in circles.
So how do I stop this process and any impact on my credit history (I'm an FCA approved person so can't have any bad credit etc)
They won't talk to me or even tell me what contract or information I have and just send letters. I've never signed a contract or requested a service, can only think that they got my DD information from the bundle of docs sent through the solicitor for rent, water, tax etc. (shared ownership). I'm tempted to let it progress as they can't enforce a contract I've never seen or terms ive not agreed to just worried about my credit rating and defaults etc.
The situation:
- Bought my flat and completed in May
- Previous owner with the ISP in question
- Was originally intending to continue the previous owners contract but decided against it following advice on here and the fact I wouldn't be moving in for a while
- When I eventually moved in I had satellite TV with associated broadband installed
- Last month I noticed that the ISP in question was taking money directly from my account and had been for months since I competed, not a huge amount - c.£70 total
- I didn't know what they were about and did a chargeback under the DD guarantee after not being able to contact them - couldn't without a phone number (as a reference) which I didn't have....and still don't
- Had a final demand come through for £230 yesterday
-Tried calling but still couldn't as I have no telephone number as have never had any paperwork or even seen a contract, price plan or anything to identify myself
- Ended up on an online chat and the operative basically said there is amount in your name and therefore it's your bill, will only go away when paid (this wont be happening any time soon)
- Got nowhere on there as was going around in circles.
So how do I stop this process and any impact on my credit history (I'm an FCA approved person so can't have any bad credit etc)
They won't talk to me or even tell me what contract or information I have and just send letters. I've never signed a contract or requested a service, can only think that they got my DD information from the bundle of docs sent through the solicitor for rent, water, tax etc. (shared ownership). I'm tempted to let it progress as they can't enforce a contract I've never seen or terms ive not agreed to just worried about my credit rating and defaults etc.
If you went with an 'associated' company to thee TV I'm guessing Sky? At which point your signing up with Sky should have sent a cease request top the ISP in question, which judging by previous billing screw-ups I've heard of, is either Tiscali/EE or Talk Talk.
Find out what the situation was with your current provider, how was the line activated? Was it an Active line takeover of your existing line? Or was the line stopped and restarted by thee new provider? Surely they must have some sort of connection log where they can see you haven't used the service in months?
I would certainly call and speak to someone with more power than a 'keyboard monkey' who are often outsource with no real powers. Ask to raise an official complaint which they are duty bound by OFCOM to log and ask for it to be escalated, ideally to someone within the UK.
Find out what the situation was with your current provider, how was the line activated? Was it an Active line takeover of your existing line? Or was the line stopped and restarted by thee new provider? Surely they must have some sort of connection log where they can see you haven't used the service in months?
I would certainly call and speak to someone with more power than a 'keyboard monkey' who are often outsource with no real powers. Ask to raise an official complaint which they are duty bound by OFCOM to log and ask for it to be escalated, ideally to someone within the UK.
PurpleMoonlight said:
Rubbish.
DD mandates don't magically appear on your doorstep without some prior interaction with the business.
If you are not going to tell the truth, why should people help you?
Would agree with this to an extent also you can have DD's in one persons name and the account under another. DD mandates don't magically appear on your doorstep without some prior interaction with the business.
If you are not going to tell the truth, why should people help you?
I.E someone with dementia might have the account under thier name but as another family member has power of attorney over money then the DD would be in thier name.
There must have been something done with the company if the full account is transferred into your name.
PurpleMoonlight said:
kiethton said:
Thinking the form was amongst the 5 or so DD mandates I did on completion.
Rubbish.DD mandates don't magically appear on your doorstep without some prior interaction with the business.
If you are not going to tell the truth, why should people help you?
kiethton said:
So how do I stop this process and any impact on my credit history (I'm an FCA approved person so can't have any bad credit etc)
And we wonder at the cockups in the financial services industry? 
Only became regulated a few weeks ago and this historic, think this was borne from confusion - first place
I just don't understand how they can just randomly decide how much to charge without me knowing, they advertise £2.50 a month, happy to pay them that and no more - £10 tops... £230 is a bit much really!
I just don't understand how they can just randomly decide how much to charge without me knowing, they advertise £2.50 a month, happy to pay them that and no more - £10 tops... £230 is a bit much really!
kiethton said:
I just don't understand how they can just randomly decide how much to charge without me knowing, they advertise £2.50 a month, happy to pay them that and no more - £10 tops... £230 is a bit much really!
Perhaps their charges were outlined in the correspondence that accompanied the DD mandate that you didn't sign and return to them!If you are so worried about a CCJ I suggest you pay up and learn from your mistake.
I can only hope you take greater care with your clients money that you do your own ....
PurpleMoonlight said:
kiethton said:
I just don't understand how they can just randomly decide how much to charge without me knowing, they advertise £2.50 a month, happy to pay them that and no more - £10 tops... £230 is a bit much really!
Perhaps their charges were outlined in the correspondence that accompanied the DD mandate that you didn't sign and return to them!If you are so worried about a CCJ I suggest you pay up and learn from your mistake.
I can only hope you take greater care with your clients money that you do your own ....
kiethton said:
There was no accompanying correspondence, no terms, no letters, nothing, just the DD form sent by the previous owner which just have been included within the others as outlined above.
It didn't occur to you to enquire what the charges were before blindly signing a DD.Amazing!
kiethton said:
Only became regulated a few weeks ago and this historic, think this was borne from confusion - first place
I just don't understand how they can just randomly decide how much to charge without me knowing, they advertise £2.50 a month, happy to pay them that and no more - £10 tops... £230 is a bit much really!
I think the point that people are making is that companies can't just magically and randomly start taking money from your bank account - they have got the details somehow.I just don't understand how they can just randomly decide how much to charge without me knowing, they advertise £2.50 a month, happy to pay them that and no more - £10 tops... £230 is a bit much really!
The paperwork you think you might have completed appeared somehow.
For it to be in your name something will have happened at the ISP.
Are you honestly saying that if you call the ISP they are disavowing any knowledge of having you on their system as a customer whilst they're conceding that they have a direct debit mandate in place and they have sent a final demand for non-payment?
Respectfully something just doesn't sound right about your version of events.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff