Panic stations

FireWyrm

40+ wrote: »

Hello BedsitBob,

After carrying this letter around for some time, I finally took the plunge and opened the TV letter, I am not sure what this means as I don't have any of the others. It says:-

Dear Sir/Madam

As you have not responded to our letters yet you have left us no alternative but to proceed with final stages of our investigation and officer has been scheduled to visit you to find out if TVs are being watched or recorded illegally the officer may visit your property at any time day or night in the morning or evening. Information below explains procedure you may refer to during the visit from him officer

and it goes on..

Regards
Tom

Well, other than it might be wise to move your TV from an obvious and easily viewed position, you dont need to accept their visit, or let them in. They come on heavy, but they have no rights...dont be frightened of them.

However, to be completely legal, disconnect the TV from the Sky dish or cable and only watch videos. A licence is only required for the viewing of LIVE TV broadcasts...not for recorded media, you do not need a licence to own a TV of any kind, nor to watch non live video on your computer.

By doing the above, you comply completely with the law. Beyond that, tell them to swivel.

Barbeduk

Hi 40+, just wanted to echo what firewym said about HMRC, I've always found them really helpful so really don't put that one off.

[Deleted User]

40+ wrote: »

Hello BedsitBob,

After carrying this letter around for some time, I finally took the plunge and opened the TV letter, I am not sure what this means as I don't have any of the others. It says:- <snip>

It's this one, isn't it?



I've received that one 7 TIMES so far, and they form part of my collection of almost three dozen TVL letters.

While I would never encourage anyone to commit TV Licence evasion, you should be aware that it's a bluff (note the word "if", in the first sentence of the second paragraph), aimed at getting you to contact then, and/or buy a licence.

My advice, if you can't afford (or don't want) to pay for a TV Licence, is to stop watching and/or recording live TV (disconnect and detune the TV, pack away any STBs), and watch DVDs, Blurays, catchup, play computer games etc., for which you don't require a licence.

You will, of course, continue to receive the monthly letters (known colloquially as "Threat-O-Grams"), but you can ignore them, along with the visiting "Enfarcement Officers" (that wasn't a typo BTW ), who are really commission salesmen.

[Deleted User]

RAS wrote: »

What you need to do is remove the TV, or organise a licence PDQ

Or disconnect the aerial, detune the channels, and use the TV to watch DVDs, Blurays, catchup, play computer games etc.

Also, don't answer the door, don't answer any questions, don't let them in and, above all, DON'T SIGN ANYTHING.

poodlegal

Hey 40+, see youre already making headway into sorting this out:T i'm not able to offer any constructive advice other than to say there are some very knowledgable people here and between them they will point you in the right direction and get you sorted with a plan of action. Nobody is beyond help and once you are going in the right direction you will be amazed at how quick you can make inroads into the debt.

40+

Hi bedsitbob,

Yes thats the one! I have unplugged my monitor tv from my virgin Tivo Box and removed all the cables.. I was thinking I wanted to get rid of the TV part of the package and the phone as rarely use TV and I don't use Telephone, but I need to look into my Virgin contract to see if I can downgrade now that it has been over a year. I am not sure how to detune Tivo as Virgin Engineer set it up but I can switch off and store? I have taken your advice about not letting anyone in and they may find it hard as my door bell doesn't work

I am starting to feel less stressed and anxious now thanks to all you wonderful people!

I am working on my SoA again and hope to have that posted up later or in the morning as I keep thinking and remembering things I have left out.
Thanks
Tom

[Deleted User]

40+ wrote: »

I was thinking I wanted to get rid of the TV part of the package and the phone as rarely use TV and I don't use Telephone

There's more money saved, right there. :cool:

I am not sure how to detune Tivo as Virgin Engineer set it up but I can switch off and store?

That'll do.

I have taken your advice about not letting anyone in and they may find it hard as my door bell doesn't work

That's the spirit.

Just remember, they're the ones knocking on your door, doubting your honesty, so they don't deserve your time.

40+

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

There's more money saved, right there. :cool:

Just need to work out how to get the broadband down as I am meant to be getting 10mb but barely get 1mb on a good day!

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Just remember, they're the ones knocking on your door, doubting your honesty, so they don't deserve your time.

Thx Bob I would have never know had I not been told..

I am trying not to get hyper but the more I read on this site I see the more I can save and spend on things that are important once I am debt free!!

Tom

[Deleted User]

Have you considered dumping VM completely, and signing up with a different company, for your BB?

chevalier

My OH made a stuff up with tax when he left a job, and had a load of tax refunded to him in error by the then ex payrool dept. HMRC agreed to set up a monthly repayment plan to repay the money. Occasionally they do phone up to ask us to pay more. But as our circumstances haven't changed, and we are paying a reasonable amount versus the debt owed, they remain content, if not entirely happy....
chev