Advice re phone line

moneymakestheworldgoround

Hi

Pre bankruptcy, my partner had the BT phone line in his name. We split up last year and he cancelled the contract. I had no spare income so I didnt set up a new line.

I went bankrupt in December last year and didnt have any BT debt to include in the bankruptcy.

I have applied this month to get a BT line in my name and was initially advised I may need to pay a large deposit to secure it ( around £250 I think). They have contacted me today to say they cannot give me a phone line at all due to my bankruptcy. I offered to pay for the years line rental in advance and a deposit but they said it is company policy to refuse applications from people who have been made bankrupt.

I dont have a mobile contract, cant get a landline.... am I destined to go without a phone line or fork out loads for a pay as you go mobile (only have Vodafone coverage and its costing me a fortune each month, even with their freebie options)

OR is there another company who can provide a landline connection? I have no idea if BT are the only provider.

Thanks in advance

sniggings

wow that's harsh if you were told the correct info, maybe try again and only mention the BR if asked.

Do you have cable in your area? other companies do landlines but I think you need a BT line in first, not sure though, sorry can't help more.

Maybe easier to try and get a mobile contract, if you intend on having a mobile and the landline, a mobile plan with loads of mins could be cheaper than having both, they can be not too expensive now, maybe a family member or friend with let you use their name.

moneymakestheworldgoround

Thanks

I didnt mention the BR at all as it wasnt on the application. I have tried twice to get the line on and had no response both times. So I complained and got a response today to explain why - no to bankrupts and also it appears they cant be bothered to inform people either. They just ignore the applications after credit checking! Charming.

I would be happy with contract mobile instead of landline, but Vodafone hate me and have declined my application early this month - dont blame them, and at least they had the decency to let me know :rotfl:

I would be (reasonably) happy to have no phone, but the kids schools have reprimanded me before for having no contact numbers and the kids need the internet for school work - I have tried to explain to the teachers we dont have the internet and no library for miles - and suggested they could do homework at school but apparently only allowed on Thursday for 20 mins.

I have considered the phone line in someone elses name ( as the BT adviser suggested) but I only have one relative I could ask and they think I am solvent and definitely dont know about the bankruptcy :mad: Think I will avoid that discussion

Talktalk appear to offer a landline but thats the only company I can find at the moment. I'll look into the cable suggestion. Thanks

sniggings

you can buy dongles for the internet, so no line needed but they are expensive for what data allowance you get.

I use Ovivo for my mobile, it uses the Vodafone network too, it's free with only one topup of £10, so after the £10 top up you get 100 any mins 100 texts and 400mb free each month, you can buy extra time, I think for £10 you get an extra 500 mins, might help until you get something sorted.

moneymakestheworldgoround

Thanks Sniggings. I havent heard of Ovivo - I am so old when it comes to technology! Well, I am old full stop :rotfl:

I have got a dongle about 3 weeks ago but with 4 kids, they seemed to be using £5 a day so I had to limit them to once a week which isnt really practical when they are researching GCSE coursework etc.

However today I received a text from TalkTalk to tell me my new phone number and connection date so I assume I have been approved without the need for a deposit or a rude conversation about how terrible I am. If so, that is amazing news. I only applied about 10am last night.

Fingers crossed

Pennywise2012

I had no problems setting a land line and t'internet up with Sky! It sounds like it's just BT.