O2 Direct Debit Disaster

kt_140

Hello,

Wondering if anyone can give me any advice on how to proceed with an on-going complaint wtih O2 about a Direct Debit issue.

Over 2 years ago myself and my partner ordered 2 mobiles from Dial A Phone with a 02 contract. After ordering for a few weeks - there we're loads of problems - one phone was connected while the other wasn't, both phones were set up in my partners name, not mine, so I had to have a passwod to access customer services, insurance taken out when not wanted, wrong address on account etc... (I could go on).

Anyway to cut a long story short, after 2 years, my phone suddenly got barred - and when went into the O2 store to find out why I found out that I had a bill of £2,500, as they had the incorrect direct debit details (for 2 years!!!!!) and had never taken a single penny out of our accounts. For 2 years - I thought my partner was paying the bills and he thought I was paying the bills.

I was completely shocked, and have been passed from pillar to post trying to arrange re-payment. I believe that O2 are liable for some of this amount as they never barred us the first month the bill wasn't paid. They also continued to send monthly bills saying 'you need to do nothing - this payment will be taken by DD', so we thought it was all going out. I'm not happy about paying the full £2,500 - would I be covered under the DD guareentee?

What are everyone's thoughts???

thesaint

So you haven't paid a penny for the service you have been supplied with for 2 years, and now want the Direct Debit guarantee to 'Cover you'.

Are you taking the *^"@?

It was up to you/partner to realise the mistake.

Your best bet is to hope that they allow you to arrange a payment plan.

matrix999

thesaint wrote: »

So you haven't paid a penny for the service you have been supplied with for 2 years, and now want the Direct Debit guarantee to 'Cover you'.

Are you taking the *^"@?

It was up to you/partner to realise the mistake.

Your best bet is to hope that they allow you to arrange a payment plan.

I second what "thesaint" has said.

Are you seriously saying that you never noticed that there was a problem with your direct debit??? I can't believe that for a minute and I certainly can't believe it has taken two years for you to notice, when your phone suddenly got barred. Ok, I suppose O2 should have contacted you to tell you that there was a problem but you to have an equal responsiblity to ensure your bill is paid on time.

Like "thesaint" has said you have been supplied a service and it is now your responsibility to settle this debt. I suggest your ask O2 to put you on a payment plan or you can kiss goodbye to your credit score as O2 will record it as unpaid with the credit reference agencys.

Iamthesmartestmanalive

At the end of the day its upto whoever the contract is made with (i.e the named person) to ensure payment

If thats you its your responsibility to ensure payment, a court would laugh at the assumed partner making payments argument

Again I dont believe for a second you didnt know you werent paying

As said your best bet is either a payment plan or a reduced settlement sum, O2 might agree if it saves a fight for it

stacey21_2

o2 stores will not be able to access Dial A Phone accounts either.

The first bar (outgoing) is placed on a phone when the account is overdue by 7 days. The second (bothway/complete bar) is placed after around 14 days. Bars can be lifted: when promise to pay is made, when payment plan is set up, when a part payment is made.

thesaint

stacey21 wrote: »

o2 stores will not be able to access Dial A Phone accounts either. <snip>

Who mentioned anything about a dialaphone account?

stacey21_2

The OP did?

thesaint

thesaint wrote: »

Who mentioned anything about a dialaphone account?

stacey21 wrote: »

The OP did?

If you read the post again(which you should've done before replying to me:)), you will see that the OP never mentioned anything about the o2 store accessing a D.A.P account, only that they got the contract through them. :A

stacey21_2

and when went into the O2 store to find out why I found out that I had a bill of £2,500

and if you read that post by the OP, it implies that the o2 store told her she had a bill of £2,500.

If the o2 store merely got in touch with Dial a Phone for her, fair enough, but I was pointing out that there is perhaps a flaw in her story that the o2 store themselves cannot view a Dial A Phone account on their systems to see the bills.

h901

dial a phone contracts are taken out with o2 direct
o2 stores are part of o2 direct and can view your details on your account
but carphone warehouse o2 is seperate and o2 direct or o2 store cannot view your details.

thesaint

h901 wrote: »

dial a phone contracts are taken out with o2 direct
o2 stores are part of o2 direct and can view your details on your account
but carphone warehouse o2 is seperate and o2 direct or o2 store cannot view your details.

Thank you for pointing this out to our fellow MSE'er.:beer:

As an o2 employee, you would've thought that stacey21 knew this...

Actually, maybe not.:D