BT - Changing Subscriber Name

joegib

Hi,

Have any members using a BT landline had occasion to request a change in the listed subscriber name relating to the account? For example, following death of a parent, spouse, or a divorce (sorry if this raises unhappy memories). If so:

(1) Was the process straightforward procedurally?

(2) Did BT charge for it? (I'm concerned about being stuck with a hefty charge for being newly "connected").

(3) Did BT take the line that the change formed the basis for a new fixed-term contract? (As far as I know the very old account involved in this instance operated on a non-fixed-term basis).

Thanks for any help with this.

Joe

JohalaReewi

For a change of name on a BT account, the old account is closed and a new one started in the new name. So you get new T&Cs etc. You can transfer the phone number over but anything else that was on the account (CPS, Broadband, etc.) vanishes.

BT_company_representative

Hello joegib,

I can confirm we can change the name on an account. This can only be changed into a husband or wife’s name due to bereavement. Under any other circumstances we would close the original account and re-order a new account in the new account holders name. This would be with a new contract with BT.

I will be more than happy to look into this for you. Please can you reply to me via email for the attention of myself to btcare@bt.com with your account number and a contact number to reach you on. In your reply could you also put that you contacted us via Money Saving Expert and please put your username joegib. This is so we can trace the details of your enquiry.

Fionnuala

boofuls1

:mad:Hi, I tried this 2 months ago and had major problems. Which, after receiving a bill from BT this morning I am raging to say are still going on despite promises that all is sorted. I have called BT 3 times today and am getting no results what so ever!! Any ideas where to go to sort out my problems would be greatly appreciated!!

Jemma-T

Mind if you change the name for any reason other than that mentioned by BT here you may be liable for a "deposit" via credit card or some other immediate payment. That's fine if you can afford it but if you can't or don't have access to a card you may cause a problem.

If it ain't broke...

BT_company_representative

Hi boofuls1. I am very sorry to learn of the problems that you have experienced with BT. Please email your BT details, forum username and query to btacre@bt.com and I will look into this for you.

Regards Rodney

joegib

Thanks to everyone for the helpful responses.

To explain, the subscriber involved was my late mother from whom I inherited my home over 20 years ago. I was content to leave the account in her name as that gave me ex-directory status of a kind. While I've faithfully paid the bills all this time, this situation has come back to haunt me lately. When opening bank accounts, I've had more trouble over ID requirements than I would expect for someone with my very stable lifestyle. I suspect that's down to my given phone number not being listed in my name.

Thanks Fionnuala for explaining the BT position so clearly. I'd half expected that a new contract would be required to regularise the position. But if I'm going to have to commit to a fixed-term contract anyway, I'd like to take some time to consider my options. So, I won't be contacting you in the very near future but may do so later.

Joe

boofuls1

Hi Rodney, Thank you sooooooo much for your respnse. My parents are in their late 70's and the last thing they need is their phone line to be cut off and left in the lurch. Will get the info to you now.

Lisa

newbshr

I need some help regarding changing a BT account holder name.

If an account holder dies and there is no surviving spouse, can the account holder name be changed to an offspring's name? Does this incur any change in terms of contract - is it a new contract? The current contract has 28 days notice and we don't want to go onto a 12 month contract.

I phoned the BT help line, but was given different conflicting answers by the same person and have ended up very confused.

Many thanks for any help

JustPassingBy

newbshr wrote: »

If an account holder dies and there is no surviving spouse, can the account holder name be changed to an offspring's name? Does this incur any change in terms of contract - is it a new contract? The current contract has 28 days notice and we don't want to go onto a 12 month contract.

Does the response in post #3 conflict with anything else you have been told?

newbshr

Yes. At one point I was told that it could be changed to another account holder and then that person need only give 15 days notice on a contract. I queried this as I can only find calling plans with 12 month contracts with BT on the website, unless it's weekend calling plan, but it appears if we were treated as a new customer we would not be allowed to have this? It was so difficult to understand what the person was saying - I did ask him to speak more distinctly.