TV Licensing harassment letters

WhiteHorse

Xbigman wrote: »

There record keeping for communication is so bad it is ludicrous. I think I'll write them a letter demanding they stop contacting me, even though they haven't, and see if I can get a tenner out of them

Masterly.

WhiteHorse

Many years ago, when the threatening letters were worded somewhat differently, I was sent one. It demanded that if I did not possess a TV, that I explain why not!

I wrote "Because all I see on it are a**holes like you", and then posted it back.

They never wrote to me again ...

Doom_and_Gloom

I can not stand these TV licencing people

Doom_and_Gloom wrote: »

TV licence - £142.50 (Paid this off in full as soon as we moved in yet a few days ago got a notice saying they had come by and no one was in - absolute BS as both of us had been in all day - and that we have to pay for a licence or we'll get fined :mad:. Why I bothered paying it in full to get this !!!!!! from them I have no idea! If they come by again and actually bother buzzing to come in I'm going to have the notice and my licence in my hand and tell them to fudge off as I have a damn licence.)

The worst part is is that it's been over 2 months since we paid for the licence (when we moved in), we had the paper licence sent to this address rather fast and I've even checked online on their website and it says we have a licence on there :mad:.
Yet we had a 'we said we'd call' letter through - and here is the best part yet - we never got any warning letters saying they bl00dy would!
They have not written to us several times in the time we have lived here. Yes we own a TV and watch live TV, record also etc but we have a bl00dy licence so we are doing nothing wrong. Stupid people, I really don't know why I bother.
I actually know someone who doesn't pay for it and hasn't for 8 years and has sky but they don't get this for not having a licence :mad::mad::mad:. They should be all over them not us who actually went out and paid for ours in full for a year!

sookipeaspud

The licence fee is spot on. We should be thankful for the beeb. Sky and the paying types are aimed at morons who with really bad attention spans since being bombarded by adverts every 15 minutes. Dont get me started on the propoganda by Wupert Murdoch and the likes.....

This country, honestly. Great Britain is great through many things which includes the bbc.

Anyone who disagrees is a sky watching drone.

I shall field no further questions, my opinion is formed. Any attempt to convince me otherwise will be ignored.

dropscone

I have had a letter (yesterday, asking me to respond by 10th September or they will take further action) asking me to confirm that I still no longer require an licence by ringing their 0300 number or filling in a form online. I do not watch broadcast television as I find most of it rubbish, and I sent them a letter telling them that I had paid for a licence fee for the 8 years I did watch TV and in the unlikely event I started again I would get a licence. They continued to send letters and an enforcement officer (who I was stupid enough to let in even though I was a lone female and who offensively implied that I'd managed to hide my TV successfully this time but they'd get me when they came again in a year).

I find it very frustrating that they are admitting that they will ask me to confirm I do not use television periodically, but they won't believe me and may then send someone to check. I REALLY want to tell them to eff off and stop bothering me, but at this stage I realise they will probably never stop harrassing me. Do I write them a reasonable letter stating my case or just ignore them and let them send their offensive officers who I will at least know better than to let in again without a warrant.

Frowny face.

caela_2

Hiya,

Just thought I'd share this with you. Recently got a letter stating:

"Dear Sir/ Madam,

You have not responded to our previous letters. We want to ensure you have the information you may need before a hearing is set at your local court.

Please read the information below carefully and keep (sp) for your records. You will be allowed to take it into court with you.

Yours faithfully,

John Robinson
*** Enforcement Division.

(Then their 'cut out and keep' section):

What to expect in court

If you are asked to appear in court, this is what you can expect to happen:

• You can appoint a lawyer to represent you, or you may represent yourself.
  
• Evidence collected during an enforcement visit to your property is used by the court to decide the penalty for TV license evasion.
  
• The court has the power to impose a fine of up to £1,000, plus legal costs. The decision is legally binding.
  
• If you property needs a TV license, you will still need to buy one.

How to avoid a court summons
It is illegal to watch television programmes as they are being shown on TV without a TV License - no matter what device you use. The only way to stop this investigation from going any further is to do one of the following:

• Buy a TV License at https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay or by calling 0300 790 6097. A colour license costs £145.50.
  
• Let us know you don't need one at https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/noTV or by calling 0300 790 6097. We may visit to confirm this."

So, I sent them a little email:

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express this formal complaint regarding the various communications I have received from your organisation. I have previously made a courtesy call to inform you that I do not require a TV license and shall update your records should I require one in the future. Whilst I was told this had been noted, I have continued to receive letters making various enquiries and threats designed to make me believe I may require a TV license and should purchase one from the methods listed. Most recently, I received a letter suggesting there are intended court proceedings against me, despite failing to provide a formal court date or information to support this. Therefore, I believe this letter is nothing more than a scare tactic designed to persuade me to buy a TV license I do not need under the imposed threat of legal action. I am aware of my rights and fully aware of the conditions under which you may require a TV license, thanks to your numerous communications and can clarify that I still DO NOT require a license and will not accept this type of harassment from a company or service I in no way wish to pursue.

I am making it clear at this stage that should I receive any further correspondence addressed to ****, whether it be to 'The Legal Occupier' or to myself or any other tenant of this property while I am resident here I shall consider it harassment. I suffer from mental health problems and find your threatening and unfounded enquiries to be a source of undue stress and anxiety to me and I am sure, many other people. To consistently target people in their own home where they should be free of this type of harassment is an unacceptable way for a government organisation to be conducting themselves. Therefore, I hope this situation can be resolved swiftly and that my records will be altered accordingly.

Yours sincerely,

xxx"

I think something should actually be brought against them because as far as I'm concerned this is a genuine case of harassment, although their letter did make me laugh (especially the bit where it said "you are allowed to take it to court with you" for their highly useful cut out and keep!!! Too much wrong with that to even begin... it literally is just laughable). I do strongly believe though the wording is so suggestive to imply that actual court proceedings have begun and it stresses me out to some extent thinking why can't they just b*gger off but I can't image what it would do to someone in a more vulnerable situation they'd be in such a panic. It's honestly disgraceful to send this to people's homes, where they have created a safe haven and are attacked by ruthless money-makers like this. Just like actually having a TV would leave you open to endless brainwashing in your own front-lounge. Nice.

Oh and well worth a look: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/40/section/3

caela_2

dropscone wrote: »

I have had a letter (yesterday, asking me to respond by 10th September or they will take further action) asking me to confirm that I still no longer require an licence by ringing their 0300 number or filling in a form online. I do not watch broadcast television as I find most of it rubbish, and I sent them a letter telling them that I had paid for a licence fee for the 8 years I did watch TV and in the unlikely event I started again I would get a licence. They continued to send letters and an enforcement officer (who I was stupid enough to let in even though I was a lone female and who offensively implied that I'd managed to hide my TV successfully this time but they'd get me when they came again in a year).

I find it very frustrating that they are admitting that they will ask me to confirm I do not use television periodically, but they won't believe me and may then send someone to check. I REALLY want to tell them to eff off and stop bothering me, but at this stage I realise they will probably never stop harrassing me. Do I write them a reasonable letter stating my case or just ignore them and let them send their offensive officers who I will at least know better than to let in again without a warrant.

Frowny face.

I think we both have a case for harassment lol! Have a look at my post. x

leedsmodus

I have not paid for a license for 6 yrs and have sky. I initially got the letters and an idiot whom knocked on our door asking to come in. He wedged his foot in the door, so i told him to f' off, he pushed the door on me. so i had him up for assualt even though i was not hurt but the door hit my head, so i thought i might as well get the jumped up cocky squirt done by the police. he left our house saying i will see you in court and that no one swears at him. he thought i would be like 95% of the popoulation thinking he had powers to come into my house and i think he didnt like it that i was clued up

i then sent a letter, many sites on net to help with this, advising tv licensing that i withdraw all rights of implied access to the property and any further visits would be deemed as harassment and tressPASSING.

funny how i have not heard anything from them for 5 years now.
I buy a tv i give a false address too.

ok i break the law but the bbc is a waste of money, they should be self funding like itv

oldone_2

leedsmodus wrote: »

funny how i have not heard anything from them for 5 years now.
I buy a tv i give a false address too.

ok i break the law but the bbc is a waste of money, they should be self funding like itv

This is one of the reasons they are so forceful in trying to collect the licence fee. Innocent people who don't need a licence are suffering because of your law breaking.

I wonder if there are other laws you dont agree with that you break.

Eventually you will be caught - most criminals have a low I.Q, become complacent and make a slip. When that happens, it won't be just a fine, but a custodial sentence as well.

leedsmodus

oldone wrote: »

This is one of the reasons they are so forceful in trying to collect the licence fee. Innocent people who don't need a licence are suffering because of your law breaking.

I wonder if there are other laws you dont agree with that you break.

Eventually you will be caught - most criminals have a low I.Q, become complacent and make a slip. When that happens, it won't be just a fine, but a custodial sentence as well.

they are not forceful,. if you call stupid letters that make worthless threats and donkeys whom knock on the door pretending to be bayliffs then you are one sad individiual. As for the i.Q. LEVEL your the numpty not me.
For them to catch me i suppose theyre going to send one of their imaginary vans around or break into my house as i watch tv. Get real unless they physically come into my house they cannot prove jack s**t. I can say I am viewing dvd's or videos from someone else.

As for the other laws, i do not break any. i work in finance but refuse to bullied like a communist estate just to watch tv, whoops i mean bbc