Unable to pay mobile phone bill

Bargin_Betty79

I've just received a Orange mobile bill for £115!!!!!!
My usual bills are only between £45-50 a month so this is nearly double, I've checked the itemised billing and it seems I've been charged by my breakdown recovery service even though there number is freephone and also various calls made trying to get my car fixed.
Obviously I can't afford to pay this all in one go, I've rang them and paid half but until the bill fall's overdue they cannot put me through to their collections department!
Can anyone shed anylight on what the collections department will do?
Thanks
BB

MrsTinks

Calls to 0800 numbers should be free from Orange phones... I would check that with them...
Not sure about the collections department - if you're lucky they will realise you have been a good customer for a long time and because you contacted them BEFORE the problem arose they might be more lenient It IS likely to be marked on your credit file however...

IWantToBeFree_2

Re the calls to freephone numbers, they are only usually free from landlines, mobile phone providers tend to charge you for calling 0800 numbers.

Edit - Just seen above, maybe Orange don't... I know o2 and 3 definately do.

MrsTinks

Ah it would seem they started charging to 0800 numbers at the end of 2005... Tells you how long it is since I had a personal phone with Orange

It SHOULD however state when you call the 0800 number that "calls to this number is not free from this phone etc etc etc you have not been charged for this message" before it puts you through...

Kavanne

0800 numbers aren't free from mobiles.. I know on O2 when I try and dial them it says 'this number is not free from mobiles, please redial without the first 0'...

TotallyBroke

When you go through to the collections department you make an arrangement to pay. Because you will only have approx £50 left to pay they shouldn't cut you off. But I think they will only give you a maximum of 6months to pay off the debt. (That's what T-mobile do).
It will also show on your credit report as an arrangement to pay which looks bad if applying for credit in the next 3 - 6 years.

CLAPTON

you haven't given much detail about your circumstances and why you can't find the extra £50... could you not borrow it from family or friends or from an OD ?
50 is a relatively small sum of money to risk damaging your credit file.

I would suggest you post up an SOA here and see whether people here can help you budget a little better and to tease out some 'spare' money so you can save up a decent buffer for situations just like this in the future.

klipo

The collections dept will just ask when you can make the payment and if needed they will carry it over for maximum 3 months (if they are like Vodafone). make sure you cancel any DD that you may have as they will probably try going in for it. When you ring collections just advis tyem of how much and when you can pay the balance.

Orange_Company_Representative

Hi there, I work for Orange and might be able to help. If you send an email with your contact details to customer.services@orange.co.uk with the subject of "Jonathan Orange Response" I will give you a call to discuss.

Kind regards,

Jonathan Orange Response

MrsTinks

Board Guide Notice:

Orange Response have MSE permission to post and are to the best of MSE's knowledge genuine

sam0506

u can request orange that u were not aware of 0800 numers. they might reimburse these charges or reduce. ust request them and tell them u r a good customer.