how long until my "debt" goes away?

rebecca.483

Not sure if this is exactly the right place for this but if any one can answer would appreciate it.....

When I moved house 7 months ago I cancelled my contract with BT who said on the phone I would owe them money as there was still so many number of months to go I said fine as it would have cost me money to set BT up in new house so it worked out slightly cheaper to carry on with the exsiting phone provider even with charge for canx from BT.

I gave them new address to forward final bill and heard nothing more but have just last month started recieving letters saying that my account is in credit by £80 or so and this will carry over till next month etc.

I am most confused by this I don't want to call them in case they start asking for money I owe them when then look into it (as can't afford this now 7 months on from move) but if they are saying they owe me money should I be asking for this, it would be very handy for christmas presents for my toddler.

Where do I stand? how long until my debt to them is void?
Any help or advise accepted gratefully.

timmmers

Can you not check online ?

They put my line on incoming...checked online, 0 owed...rang them and it was their error.

BTW there is a BT representitive here on the forum in the utility threads..maybe they will see this?

The debt won't go away for 6 years AFAIK..but there may be some money waiting for you so why not check and find out online ?

t

McKneff

The debt wont go away for 6 years only if they cant find you.

I would do as timmers says and check on line.

It could be correct that they owe you money ifyou were paying them quite a high direct debit and so would put you in credit.

Nargleblast

You can play "what if?" until the cows come home, but you won't know where you stand until you ask them. If you no longer deal with BT then just contact them at the address/phone number on the last letter you received, quoting the reference given, and get them to give you a refund if you are in credit. Of course, if there is still money outstanding you will have to deal with it there and then, but at least it will be over and done with.

rebecca.483

have registered online says the same as the letters I am in credit by £80,
I would call and check but as I am -£500 in my overdraft which is my limit don't have the cash to give them if they say I owe them, also not likely to get any extra money soon as only going on week by week basis for bills, food shop and nappies etc.

captainhaggis

Rebecca, simple solution to this.

Call them, ask for the status on the account, if they say you owe them money tell them you cannot pay and let them come after you. For £80.00 the action they take will be minimal and they'll be more than happy - on most occasions - to set up a payment plan with you to deal with the debt.

If I were you I'd just call them. You CAN make them pay you, but they cannot really make you pay them. If you don't have the cash, you don't have the cash.

rebecca.483

I think I will find the bt rep on here and ask them I just didn't want hassel if I could help it you know don't rock the boat and then you will stay afloat etc but I couldn't see how they could say one thing in writting then change it, not having been in this situation before (don't let myself get debts as I know wouldn't be able to dig myself out) I was worried about what might happen like the baliffs before christmas etc.

Thanks for the posts

katsu

They will not send baliffs to your house for Christmas.

They have your address already - they used it to send you the bill, after all, so you have nothing to lose by contacting them.

Are you sure you have not continued to pay them a monthly DD?

MrsTinks

I wouldn't say being over £500 into your overdraft is "not getting yourself into debt" Call them - if you DO owe money they as said they will be able to set you up a payment plan to repay it. If you don't then you get the £80 they owe you. The BT rep on here can't give you definitive answers without your account details either so you'll have let the cat out the bag either way surely...

PasturesNew

The bottom line is you think you owe them money, it won't go away. You can hide ... but you'll hide for months, years... day in day out never resting. Uneasy every time there's an envelope on the mat, the phone rings or somebody knocks the door.

At least if you front it out now you'll know how much it is, have it all cleared up and be in control. You can always arrange with them how to pay it off properly, rather than leading a life of fear and hiding behind the sofa over something that might turn out to be worrying over nothing at all.

How'd you feel if you found out in 4 years' time that it was all accounted for and you didn't owe anything? Or if it were just £30 all along.

McKneff

The point here is that you think you owe them money. If you do owe them money its because you have used their services, like the rest of us. We use their services, we owe them money, we pay them. Simple as that and so should you.

You say You dont want the hassle :rolleyes:
You really mean you dont want to pay them.

As others have said, contact them, find out one way or the other.
That, in the long run, will save you the most hassle because you'll be worrying about it for years. Get it over and done with.