Why can't mum pay the bill?

hoyles10

My mum has a television package at her house but it's still in my name from when I lived with her. We're in the process of changing all the account details into her name and I cancelled the direct debit from my bank account. Mum phoned up today to pay the bill on her debit card until the direct debit is set up from her account.

She went through all the security questions and gave them my password but they wouldn't take payment from her without speaking to me to confirm they can speak to her about the account (Which i've already done but it's not been recorded on their system apparently).

Now I know there seems to be more and more people having their details stolen for things but how many people steal someone's details and pay's their bills?

I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for why this happens but I just fancied a bit of a rant as it's the straw that's broken the camels back today

HouseHuntr

Can't see your problem, It's called security/data protection and good on them for refusing to discuss the account with a 'stanger'.
Have you written to them advising that your mother can discuss your account ? If not then you should, otherwise you'll have to advise them by phone each and every time you want your mother to discuss it.

hoyles10

I was told when I phoned them to tell them they could speak to my mum about my account that I didn't need to put in writing as a note would be put on my account.

I know it's all data protection but I can't see the problem with wanting to make a payment. I could understand if they wanted to change any details or discuss personal information but not to pay them.

ellay864

It happens everywhere now, tho I agree it seems daft when you're trying to make a payment. Recently my OH had really bad pharyngitis and just could not speak...he forgot what time his doctor's appointment was so I rung up and they asked to speak to him. Not sure if it was a security thing or they just enjoyed a heavy breather rasping down the phone at them :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

gordikin

Why can't your Mum pay the amount due into your account monthly...or would you spend it?

hoyles10

gordikin wrote: »

Why can't your Mum pay the amount due into your account monthly...or would you spend it?

It's not that I would spend it, it's more the fact I would more than likely forget to pay it this week. We're in the process of moving house so i've got loads of stuff whirling round my head as i'm not the most organised person in the world and keep making lists of things to do then losing them

gordikin

hoyles10 wrote: »

It's not that I would spend it, it's more the fact I would more than likely forget to pay it this week. We're in the process of moving house so i've got loads of stuff whirling round my head as i'm not the most organised person in the world and keep making lists of things to do then losing them

Your Mum pays it on the 1st of the month and you set up a Direct Debit to come out on the 8th of the month. Where's the problem in doing that?

hoyles10

There isn't a problem with that apart from the fact it's far to simple and I have a habit of complicating everything

This sort of thing did become a bit of a problem a couple of years ago as I was pretty ill and spent 2 months in a high dependency unit at hospital and wasn't really in a fit state to sort out bills and things. My mum phoned my credit card company to explain the situation and to pay the balance off but they wouldn't accept the payment without my consent, so she had to write a letter to them, signed it as me to be able to discuss my account. This wasn't a problem once they had received the letter although I had nothing at all to do with it.

Admittedly paying my credit card wasn't the highest of priorities at the time but mum didn't want me to end up not being to be able to afford to pay them over the time I was going to be off work.

fleagle21

That's ridiculous! In HDU and they still wanted to confirmation from you to take a payment?! They'd have probably been quite happy to slap you with a late payment fee too, even when they'd been given the option of getting the money. Gees, next it will be, "Yes, I understand that they died, but we'll still need some confirmation from them..."

DCodd

hoyles10 wrote: »

There isn't a problem with that apart from the fact it's far to simple and I have a habit of complicating everything

This sort of thing did become a bit of a problem a couple of years ago as I was pretty ill and spent 2 months in a high dependency unit at hospital and wasn't really in a fit state to sort out bills and things. My mum phoned my credit card company to explain the situation and to pay the balance off but they wouldn't accept the payment without my consent, so she had to write a letter to them, signed it as me to be able to discuss my account. This wasn't a problem once they had received the letter although I had nothing at all to do with it.

Admittedly paying my credit card wasn't the highest of priorities at the time but mum didn't want me to end up not being to be able to afford to pay them over the time I was going to be off work.

May I make a suggestion, you call them up and change the DD from your account to your mothers and add your Mother to the account name. All sorted then, just 1 phonecall or cancel the package and you Mum gets one of the "New customer Deals" with extra goodies and free installation.

Caramac

fleagle21 wrote: »

Gees, next it will be, "Yes, I understand that they died, but we'll still need some confirmation from them..."

No then they want an original copy of the death certificate, original copy of the will and all executors to present them with photo id and a utility bill.

I understand the need for data protection but sometimes it is absurd. The nurse at the doctors surgery wouldn't tell my dad whether my mum's B12 injection was one week or the next because of patient confidentiality.