Sky - Repayment of a credit balance

clivejo

I received a letter on the 5th anniversary of my fathers death. Apparently Sky have "checked their records" and there is £20.67 credit on his account. They want to give this money back as soon as possible and ask to call a free phone number, which I have done, but it is totally automated and cant speak to an actual person.

As I dealt with his estate, I know for a fact he was not a Sky customer when he died. I also know he didn't have Sky for a few years before he passed away. So that is at least 7 years they have been holding on to his money and only now they want to return it?!?

Has this happened to anyone else? I would like to know why they took the money in the first place!!

parttimeskint

It is a legitimate letter, there was an article on here a while back specifically about Sky refunding old accounts:


http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/utilities/2014/09/former-sky-customer-you-may-be-in-line-for-a-refund


but also this:


http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/telecoms-credit-reclaiming


Sky services are paid in advance so if someone cancels phone and broadband between billing periods then it can mean they have overpaid for that period. This means people who have cancelled their services, and cancelled their direct debit, can actually end up with a credit left on their account.


It could be from a while back and certainly before 2012. I received one this week from an old sky account that was terminated in 2008.

clivejo

How exactly do I call and discuss, the number is totally automated and cant speak to an actual person.

The account would have been Sky TV only and was on a contract, therefore they shouldn't have taken more.

From my own personal experiences with Sky you have to watch them like a hawk. Once they have a direct debt set up they think they can just rob you.

parttimeskint

clivejo wrote: »

How exactly do I call and discuss, the number is totally automated and cant speak to an actual person.

The account would have been Sky TV only and was on a contract, therefore they shouldn't have taken more.

From my own personal experiences with Sky you have to watch them like a hawk. Once they have a direct debt set up they think they can just rob you.

You could try calling Sky directly.


If the account is stopped with no cancellation period then, even with TV it would leave the account in credit.


The alleged "robbers" are trying to give money back so can't really understand your issue with it to be honest.

clivejo

parttimeskint wrote: »

The alleged "robbers" are trying to give money back so can't really understand your issue with it to be honest.

The issue is the time period. It is at least 7 years ago, if not more. This is the first time they have made contact in the 5 years since he died, so they haven't been trying very hard to give it back!

parttimeskint

clivejo wrote: »

The issue is the time period. It is at least 7 years ago, if not more. This is the first time they have made contact in the 5 years since he died, so they haven't been trying very hard to give it back!

They have been under no obligation to give it back over the last 7 years, unless requested, which is why they probably haven't tried very hard or at all.


If you go through the automated system it sends the refund out by cheque, if you don't, it doesn't.

julianhodgearepants

I can understand your scepticism. I received such a letter in January and contacted Sky on 26 January via the automated process when I was told I would receive a cheque within 14 days. It is now the end of March and I still haven't received said cheque. I have gone through the process again today and have again been told I will receive a cheque within 14 days. Needless to say I am not holding my breath.