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BT Ripping me off

:mad: Summary of problem: signed up for new BT contract- 2 lines. First bills arrive and are incorrect. I phoned, BT agreed there was a problem, put the bills on hold complete with hold reference numbers. One bill was reissued with the correct amount so i paid it immediately. Still waiting for the other to be reissued..

This morning i received a letter from Commercial Credit Services on behalf of BT with a Notification of Legal Proceedings :eek: i phoned BT and it turns out that customer complaints have taken so long in reissueing my bill that the hold has expired and so this solicitor type letter has been sent. BT have confirmed that the bill should not be enforced as i really am waiting for a revised bill (i have no idea how much they will want so cant make a best guess payment) rather than refusing to pay. I now have a new hold reference but am really worried that they wont call off the legal team :(

Then i went to ring the CCS customer number to inform them that the account was on hold so not enforceable. I noticed the 0871 number and thought thats a premium. I looked all over the front and back of the letter to see how much the call would cost and there is no information. Google led me to the regulator who says its not legal to invite people to ring a premium rate without informing people of the charges upfront-i did briefly ring the number to see if they had an announcement re costs but nothing.

Any ideas?
If you can keep your head when all around you are losing theirs, its just possible you haven't grasped the situation ;)

Comments

  • Heinz
    Heinz Posts: 11,191 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker Car Insurance Carver!
    0871 numbers cost between 6p and 10p per minute to call from a BT landline.

    http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumer/consumerProducts/pdf/SpecialisedNos.pdf

    My guess is the one you have will be one of the 10p variety.
    Time has moved on (much quicker than it used to - or so it seems at my age) and my previous advice on residential telephony has been or is now gradually being overtaken by changes in the retail market. Hence, I have now deleted links to my previous 'pearls of wisdom'. I sincerely hope they helped save some of you money.

  • Any ideas?

    I'd deal directly with BT in pestering mode and make sure every "i" was dotted and every "t" crossed. Reference numbers, dates, action they have taken etc. And email only. Or confirmation of what has been said in a telephone conversation by email.

    If you really want to deal with CCS at a cheaper phone rate than 10p/minute saynoto0870 might help.
  • I'd deal directly with BT in pestering mode and make sure every "i" was dotted and every "t" crossed. Reference numbers, dates, action they have taken etc. And email only. Or confirmation of what has been said in a telephone conversation by email.

    If you really want to deal with CCS at a cheaper phone rate than 10p/minute saynoto0870 might help.

    Thankyou, i have printed off emails and have references for all the conversations- its just SO frustrating when BT have admitted they made a mistake and then wont do something as simple as issue the revised bill so i can pay them :huh: this has been going on for months :(
    If you can keep your head when all around you are losing theirs, its just possible you haven't grasped the situation ;)
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