TalkTalk automatic 2 year contract for acquired accounts

HopeToHelp_2

Hi,

I have what I think may be an unusual problem with TalkTalk that I hope someone can help with.

I have moved away from TalkTalk to Virgin during a recent house move. In part because the new property had access to the faster cable speeds, and partly because of poor service on the part of TalkTalk.

Because I am moving supposedly mid contact, TalkTalk want to sting me with a fee for the rest of my contract term (until June next year), at a cost of about £125.

I should mention that this includes telephone and internet, the telephone number was swapped to virgin with no problems, I didn't even need a mac code. And the virgin service works fine.

The problem is that I have never actually had a contract with TalkTalk (not one I have agreed to anyway.)

It happens that I was with a company called Nildram (8 years) because I had certain business connection services with them. Tiscali acquired Nildram, and my service continued with Tiscali (approx 1 year). Then TalkTalk acquired Tiscali and my contract continued with TalkTalk (approx 16 months).

As far as I was aware, my contract has only ever been a 1 year rolling contract, and I have never agreed to an updated contract with either Tiscali or TalkTalk.

It seems that when TalkTalk acquired Tiscali, they have automatically changed my contract to a 2 year contract. Which isn't due to expire until June 2012.

I had thought that my contract expired at the end of June this year, they even called me in June this year to review my account, and I turned down discussing it because I knew I would be moving in the following couple of months.

I have tried extensively to try and discuss this with them on the phone, explaining the situation (which due to the unusual circumstance none of their operatives seemed qualifed to discuss - or have a relevant script for), I have requested, but they do not seem to be able to supply any evidence that I have been informed or agreed to a change to a 2 year contract, yet they will not cancel my account until I agree to pay the £125 fee, meaning I get to pay the monthly fee of £30 instead.

I cannot possibly still be using the TalkTalk service, either phone or ADSL, as the number is now tied to Virgin. TalkTalk have also sent me a letter warning me not to terminate my Direct Debit directly or they will wack on another charge.

I am happy to pay a months disconnection notice as per my initial contract, but I don't see who I should fork out another £125 for breaking a contract I have not agreed too. However, I also don't want them to start sending my details to collectors and let them tarnish my otherwise sparkling credit record.

Does anyone have any advise on how I should approach this, or things I can say \ do to make them see my point of view? Or do I just have to bite the bullet and unfairly pay the disconnection charge?

Many thanks for any thoughts

aaajjj

This is what talktalk was fined for, pure and simply they cannot enforce a new contact without your knowledge, they are bluffing, if it was me I would immediately send a letter cancelling your service giving 1 months notice and advising them that you have now cancelled direct debit and send any further demands by post thus avoiding the legal implications of avoiding payment and then take any further action from there, keep all correspondance. also report to ofcom or oftel whatever they are now called.

TalkTalk

Hi Hopetohelp,

can you confirm if you were previously a TT business customer. My understanding is the Nidram customers were migrated to TalkTalk business, which has different procedures to the residential services and contact details can be found on your bill.

regards

mark