Skype: Warning to all subscribers

Marty06

Hi - if anyone has a subscription to Skype (e.g. its Unlimited National or World packages), Skype have just changed their terms and conditions.

Previously, you got three free numbers with these packages (allowing people to call you from their landline phone). Skype have just started charging for these numbers.

Now, this doesn't technically affect existing subscribers -only new ones after 6th April.

BUT if you change your subscription (e.g. upgrade or downgrade your package) OR simply update your credit card details (Skype doesn't provide a way of changing your card details other than by 'resubscribing' to a new package - which is what I have just done and found my numbers have been suspended) you will lose your free numbers. You will then have to repurchase them for £28 per year PER NUMBER!!!

This is a very sneaky change. Skype make no mention that this will happen if you change your subscription. Their forums and help are saying it doesn't affect existing users, but seeing as everyone will presumably at least have to update their credit card details at some point in the future (if only because their existing card will expire), eventually everyone will lose their free numbers and be faced with what is, in effect, at least a 100% price hike.

I have complained to Skype about this, but as you may know, their customer service dept. is terrible (no telephone number!). I am also considering writing to Ofcom, but not sure if they regulate Skype? Any advice?

Buzby

Do you mean the 'Skype In' number that people can use to call you? I'vr only ever been allowed 1 number as part of my package at no cost, any additionals had to be paid for - that's going back to 2007 when I first got mine. So I'm not clear on what has 'changed'.

Marty06

Yes, the Skype In number. I've had the Unlimited World package (£6.99 a month) since last September. This allowed me three inclusive Skype-in numbers. These are now gone, because I updated my credit card details by resubscribing (the only way they allow you to update card details). The only option I have now is to reactivate the numbers at a 50% discount of the standard cost (i.e. if you purchased them as seperate from a calls package) - i.e. £7 for three months per number.

What package do you have? I guess it might have been different amount of inclusive Skype-In numbers on different pacakages (the Unlimited World one is the most expensive, so it would make sense if it had allowed the most free numbers).

I think you will find that if you wanted to renew your subscription (or update your credit card details), you would also have to start paying for your number instead of getting it included as part of your package from now on.