TalkTalk Dispute

Brock_and_Roll

Dear MSEers,


I was a happy customer of TalkTalk for 3 years or so but around Christmas time, for technical reasons [very large household], I decided to move to another provider.


Notice was given in the proper way, all payments were up to date, and all TT equipment was returned properly.


I was then sent a small bill for £45 by TT which, on investigation turns out to a penalty for "breaking" my contract early. To cut a long story short, TT asserts that I agreed to "renew" my contact in Jan 16, whilst I have no record of any communication from them on the subject.


Whilst TT as a "goodwill gesture" offered to halve the bill, as a pig headed matter of principle I declined their "generous" offer.


The next development is that I have received a standard letter from debt collectors (now up to £88) - who are threatening to put a default on my credit file.


This is not about the money and I have no need for loans or mortgages now or in the future, however, a black mark on my file might cause problems for example with mobile contracts and it is causing stress to my wife who is ill.


All I want is "my day in court" to argue my case with TT, but obviously the dice is loaded in their favour if they can put a default on my file before the matter gets to court.


How best should I respond to the debt collectors letter?


For what its worth, is this is how TT treat their long standing customers (and I have another account with them at another property), lord knows how they treat problem customers!


Any advice gratefully received.

Brock_and_Roll

....bumpty bump!

GingerBob_3

Brock_and_Roll wrote: »

Dear MSEers,


I was a happy customer of TalkTalk for 3 years or so but around Christmas time, for technical reasons [very large household], I decided to move to another provider.


Notice was given in the proper way, all payments were up to date, and all TT equipment was returned properly.


I was then sent a small bill for £45 by TT which, on investigation turns out to a penalty for "breaking" my contract early. To cut a long story short, TT asserts that I agreed to "renew" my contact in Jan 16, whilst I have no record of any communication from them on the subject.


Whilst TT as a "goodwill gesture" offered to halve the bill, as a pig headed matter of principle I declined their "generous" offer.


The next development is that I have received a standard letter from debt collectors (now up to £88) - who are threatening to put a default on my credit file.


This is not about the money and I have no need for loans or mortgages now or in the future, however, a black mark on my file might cause problems for example with mobile contracts and it is causing stress to my wife who is ill.


All I want is "my day in court" to argue my case with TT, but obviously the dice is loaded in their favour if they can put a default on my file before the matter gets to court.


How best should I respond to the debt collectors letter?


For what its worth, is this is how TT treat their long standing customers (and I have another account with them at another property), lord knows how they treat problem customers!


Any advice gratefully received.

Standard practice is never to respond to scum, but if you really have to, do so in writing ONLY. Such a response would typically be, "prove the debt, and by the way, you are barred from approaching my property".


Take up the matter again with TT, threatening them with the ICO if they don't respond in a positive manner.

yoshiyella

From my personal experience of this awful company is that everything you do needs to be in writing (pen and letter) as if done over the phone they do not write notes so when you escalate things they just say "no record, no happened". So if you gave your notice in over the phone I would pay up now and recommend everyone you know to stay clear.

I left TT due to the internet not working - they claimed I never contacted them at all despite having replacement routers and adapters been sent out etc etc so the FO found in TT favour as TT said they had no record of anything on my account.

Brock_and_Roll

yoshiyella wrote: »

From my personal experience of this awful company is that everything you do needs to be in writing (pen and letter) as if done over the phone they do not write notes so when you escalate things they just say "no record, no happened". So if you gave your notice in over the phone I would pay up now and recommend everyone you know to stay clear.

I left TT due to the internet not working - they claimed I never contacted them at all despite having replacement routers and adapters been sent out etc etc so the FO found in TT favour as TT said they had no record of anything on my account.

Thanks


As a matter of interest, who decides what type of company can request defaults be put on credit files without prior court authorisation.?

GingerBob_3

Brock_and_Roll wrote: »

Thanks


As a matter of interest, who decides what type of company can request defaults be put on credit files without prior court authorisation.?

No one. It's a free-for-all. The CRAs give unfettered access to any company willing to pay their fees. There is no meaningful quality control on incoming data, which is then published by the CRAs regardless of accuracy and authenticity.

Brock_and_Roll

GingerBob wrote: »

No one. It's a free-for-all. The CRAs give unfettered access to any company willing to pay their fees. There is no meaningful quality control on incoming data, which is then published by the CRAs regardless of accuracy and authenticity.

But I guess ultimately, in order to get their money out of me, they will have to go for a CCJ - this will give me a chance to make my defence.


Presumably, if I win the case or they don't turn up at court or offer any case, then I can have any adverse markers placed on my file removed?


Anyway, I have sent TT a "prove it" letter and we will see what happens next.

Brooker_Dave

Brock_and_Roll wrote: »

All I want is "my day in court" to argue my case with TT, but obviously the dice is loaded in their favour if they can put a default on my file before the matter gets to court.

Point out that due to TT's negligence in losing your personal data, not once, or twice but at least 3 times due to their Indian call centre's staff, they are in breach of their own contractual terms.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-3292565/The-small-print-says-quit-TalkTalk-Hacked-telecoms-giant-refusing-let-customers-leave-without-paying-fees-ve-loophole.html

TalkTalk

HI Brock_and_Roll

I am sorry to hear this. If you need any further help please contact us on twitter (@TalkTalkCare) or via our community pages on our website we can certainly look into this for you.

Vicky

Brock_and_Roll

Thank you Vicky. I shall give TT the opportunity to reply to the letter I sent yesterday then take it from there.