BOGUS SKY CHARGES - Any advice?

PAMA09

Hi, wondering if anyone had a similar experience with Sky and can advise on how to deal with them. Basically, we have moved home to an area where Sky is not available. We cancel our Sky account, but not the direct debit (we thought this would happen automatically. So recently looked over our bills and realised we were still being charged for 6 months (our fault for not checking sooner). Called them and they told us that this will be refunded AND SENT A LETTER THAT A CHEQUE IS IN THE POST. A month goes by, no cheque, so we called them to follow up. They said that the letter was an automated one and WE WILL NOT BE REFUNDED, AS THE LETTER WAS A MISTAKE. Called twice and they keep repeating the same thing. Seems incredible unfair. We need to get our money back!!! PLEASE HELP ON WHAT TO DO NEXT!!! Thanks everyone!

Fifer

Do you have a copy of the cancellation letter or email, or the name of the person you cancelled by phone with?

golddustmedia

Write a letter clearly stating the date they agreed to end the contract and the date(s) and amounts they wrongly charged you.

Make it clear they have charged you for a service they were no longer providing and had agreed to cease supplying.

State clearly you are giving them 14 days from postmarked date to settle the debt to you or you will proceed with a small claims court action for the value of the debt plus costs.

Unless you've made a mistake and were bound by a contract which had not completed it's minimum term (i.e. 1st 12 months of sky supply) then you have all the evidence to support your claim.

Shouldn't come to it but if you have to make a claim then do so as you're in the right.

PAMA09

Thank you. We wrote a letter, but didn't mention any court action intended. Will try that - you think it will make a difference? They are basically saying that it is our fault for not cancelling the direct debit. To answer the other question, yes, we have the letter which states that they are sending us a refund. Could they do that - send a letter saying the money is owed to us and then back out? The other thing is there is no direct email or address, so there is noone to contact. Customer service is terrible.

Fifer

You could try contacting your bank. If you cancelled the service, the Direct Debits were unauthorised and under the terms of the Direct Debit guarantee scheme, you should be entitled to an immediate refund. I don't know how far back you can claim under the DD guarantee scheme however.

macman

Only the account holder can cancel a direct debit-not the payee.