Hidden charges on BT

JamesHadley

Hi

My father has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and to cut costs I am looking through all outgoings. He was running a self employed business and had been sold various things to benefit.
On top of paying for the usual residential landline, he was also paying for a business landline, broadband and mobile.

He was aware of these but they have been increasing tariffs and he hasn't reacted.

His mobile is in contract until March 2019, is there anyway to get out of this contract?

Also my main concern is that there is a charge for 16.99 per month for a classified line. Having asked my dad he said they mentioned that there was a free entry when he first signed up. I have just spoken to BT and they have told me that a letter was sent out informing my dad that they would be charging in the future. My dad has no knowledge of this and they have charged £16.99*2 per month. I can cancel this but I am concerned that since 2014 they have been charging this which is possibly £1000+

poppasmurf_bewdley

I don't think there will be much you can do about these payments made to BT.

But I think it does point to how unscrupulous BT is when it comes to notifying customers, whether they be business or residential, about charging.

Ofcom should make it mandatory for all telecom companies to have an 'opt-in' requirement rather than an opt-out policy as we see here.

BT did the same with their BT Sport charges a few years ago when it introduced more than one channel, and many thousands fell foul of it.

macman

As that charge would presumably have been itemised in each bill received, i don't think that you are going to have any luck getting it refunded. There is minimal protection on business contracts, as opposed to residential.
Should your father pass away before 3/19, the mobile contract will become void at that date, without penalty.

phillw

JamesHadley wrote: »

His mobile is in contract until March 2019, is there anyway to get out of this contract?

They might be prepared to downgrade it if you ask nicely. You may also be able to port your number to it and take it over, if you're not in contract.

JamesHadley wrote: »

I have just spoken to BT and they have told me that a letter was sent out informing my dad that they would be charging in the future. My dad has no knowledge of this and they have charged £16.99*2 per month. I can cancel this but I am concerned that since 2014 they have been charging this which is possibly £1000+

Take a look at the monthly bills and if it's not obvious then you can raise a complaint with BT. You can pursue a complaint to the ombudsman for a small business (less than 10 employees). It's unlikely they'll refund the entire cost though. BT might make you a token offer to save them the cost of going to the ombudsman.

There is a thread about it

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71132287#Comment_71132287