£20 to change name on Virgin Media bill. Justifiable???

kitschkitty

On my 4th attempt I managed to get through to VM after dozens of menus, minutes of hold music, and a transfer from customer services in India to Scotland. I was actually phoning because I couldn't access my e billing, but I thought I should also let them know of my change of name too, as I recently got married.

I could not believe it when they said they would send me a form and charge me £20 if I wanted to change my surname. :eek::mad:

2 Questions - how the heck is this justifiable? and do any other companies make such a (huge) charge?

It's not as if the account is being changed to another person...it's the same person, just a different surname - millions of people get married every year, it's not some unusual situation.

So is it just me? Should I expect to pay a utility provider £20 because I got married?

If each individual who got married and and changed their name had to pay each and every one of their utility providers £20 I wonder how much money that would be in the UK on a yearly basis?

OK - I've had enough of ranting for now. But I have to say I really didn't think I could get any more cheesed off with VM this week - how wrong I was! :mad:

fluffnutter

Their rules I guess. Why not just leave your name as it is? Does it really matter? You'll probably get bored with them and change supplier in the future anyway.

martinthebandit

VM are really crap at customer service but if you challenge one of their grubby little money making scams they do seem to back down.

Personally I would be complaining as far up the chain as I could get.

Charging 20 quid just to change your surname seems well out of order to me, even for them

jb66

Cancel and sign up as a new customer?

NiallB

jb66 wrote: »

Cancel and sign up as a new customer?

"Certainly madam, there is however a £20 cancellation charge"

My prediction...

Taiko

Pretty sure this is against the DPA, which requires a company to maintain accurate records. Anyone able to confirm?

Lirin

When I married, one company charged me to change my name- called it an admin charge. Most did it free for me, and they're they ones ultimately I stayed with when renewals came around!

unholyangel

Taiko wrote: »

Pretty sure this is against the DPA, which requires a company to maintain accurate records. Anyone able to confirm?

I was just about to post that!

Under the Data protection act they must ensure their records are accurate, up to date and correct any errors when they are made aware of them.

Write to them telling them their records are incorrect and that your surname isnt abc but xyz.

Read more here:
http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public/personal_information/how_manage/correct_info.aspx

wimblewomble_2

the OFT did something about excessive card charges.
maybe another campaign along those lines for this type of silliness.

I don't believe its justifiable. I don't see any specialist knowledge, or complex algorithms needed to change one name on an account. They regularly change options, bundles, services, prices, and open entire new accounts without a hitch, so why not a name?

barbiedoll

Don't even think about paying a spurious charge like that! It's ridiculous that you have to jump through hoops to change your name on a contract, although I can understand that they may want to see proof of a name change. I don't see why you should have to pay though?

My Thames Water bill is still in my old married name, I have been divorced and re-married since then. When I called them to change it, they told me that I would need to send my birth certificate, a copy of my decree absolute and a copy of my new marriage certificate to prove who I was. I don't think so! :mad:

Azari

barbiedoll wrote: »

Don't even think about paying a spurious charge like that! It's ridiculous that you have to jump through hoops to change your name on a contract, although I can understand that they may want to see proof of a name change. I don't see why you should have to pay though?

My Thames Water bill is still in my old married name, I have been divorced and re-married since then. When I called them to change it, they told me that I would need to send my birth certificate, a copy of my decree absolute and a copy of my new marriage certificate to prove who I was. I don't think so! :mad:

You should just write to them and tell them that you are taking over the water supply at that address. No need to mention anything about a change of name.