BT Took money without permission

Viks

I signed up to BT but later cancelled (within a few days) as Sky offered to install the line free. I called BT to cancel they had no record of me signing up, I also emailed them and they confirmed there was no account and that I was free to sign up again.

However, they have taken the money from my account. saying I am in an 18month contract. After a bit of arguing they are agreeing to cancel the contract and refund the money.

My question is I have spent about 4 hours working out what has happened with Sky/Bt and my bank. Is there anyway I can charge BT for the time I have spent due to their error.

Secondly, if they have said they cant find my details, I am concerned they were still able to setup a direct debit as well as install the phone line at the address in question. Is there some data protetction act breach here. I am not happy that this was all possible yet the representative had no records of my account ever being setup. With all the press about lost bank account details in the past and discs I am worried this could be somewhat related. If BT cant find my details yet they can still use it then surely they are not fully in control of what is being done with the data I provided to them?

Whats my best way forward on this in terms of claiming costs incurred by way of time spent on the problem as well as the stress and anxiety, and also ensuring they actually get rid of any details they hold on me.

PS. I am inclined to add to my bill that if they do not pay by direct debit I will be making an additional charge!

jd87

If you signed up to a contract with them it would have a taken more than a few days for your details to be put on to all of their computer systems. If you called up customer services not long after signing up, you wouldn't have shown up on their system for this reason.

Viks

I called them approx 5 days later and they had no record. A day later I emailed them to confirm in writing. By about 7-8 working days in they replied saying they dont have any details.

I dont think ignorance is an excuse on the company's behalf. BT should not be able to take out a quarters line rental and a line install charge out of somebodys bank after it has been made clear the line was cancelled. If their systems are inadequate after 7 days the customer cannot be expected to wait. Also they have given me their word that I am not in a contract.