Implications of just cancelling Direct Debit - TV Licence

Narola1976

Just wanting to get some advice. I contacted TV Licensing on 7th October using their online form to tell them I wanted to cancel my licence. I received the automatic email response thanking me for making contact and that they would be in touch. No response, appreciate the pandemic has affected response times but thought I would have a response by now. I have also tried calling them 3 times since the email, the last time today, and each time they say they are too busy to take my call and disconnect. No option of holding on offered. I don’t really want to write a letter if I don’t have to, but will if I must. Someone on a FB post suggested just cancelling my monthly DD, but I don’t know if this is the right thing to do. I don’t want to get into trouble. What are the implications if I do cancel the DD. What might happen?

Mickey666

I’d have written‘emailed to them TELLING them to cancel your TV licence and at the same time TELLING them not to collect the next DD payment because you have cancelled the mandate with your bank.  That way there would be no need for them to contact you.  I can’t see why you could ‘get into trouble’ for this, as long as you genuinely no longer watch any live TV or BBC iPlayer content.

pphillips

TV Licensing will usually get in contact if you cancel the direct debit, at that point you can tell them you don't need a licence.

moe52

I followed the rules for cancelling tv licence as rarely watch tv anyway. You can find the forms on their website for cancelling and also somewhere on this site there is guidance I believe. It is advised to cancel via their website prior to cancelling any direct debits. I had email confirmation that the licence was cancelled but they may investigate. Since then, I have had what can only be termed as a 'threatening' letter which made me furious! Although I'm a senior, hate to think what someone more vulnerable might feel or do if they received a similar letter.

andygb

moe52 said:

I followed the rules for cancelling tv licence as rarely watch tv anyway. You can find the forms on their website for cancelling and also somewhere on this site there is guidance I believe. It is advised to cancel via their website prior to cancelling any direct debits. I had email confirmation that the licence was cancelled but they may investigate. Since then, I have had what can only be termed as a 'threatening' letter which made me furious! Although I'm a senior, hate to think what someone more vulnerable might feel or do if they received a similar letter.

That is disgraceful isn't it. If they try the same with me, I will email them back to tell them the many reasons why I cancelled.

moe52

andygb said:

moe52 said:

I followed the rules for cancelling tv licence as rarely watch tv anyway. You can find the forms on their website for cancelling and also somewhere on this site there is guidance I believe. It is advised to cancel via their website prior to cancelling any direct debits. I had email confirmation that the licence was cancelled but they may investigate. Since then, I have had what can only be termed as a 'threatening' letter which made me furious! Although I'm a senior, hate to think what someone more vulnerable might feel or do if they received a similar letter.

That is disgraceful isn't it. If they try the same with me, I will email them back to tell them the many reasons why I cancelled.

Ha Ha, try watching YouTube for inspiration for that..... certainly cringe worthy!  

Cornucopia

This is a compendium of all the TVL letters...

http://www.bbctvlicence.com/

It's certainly worth complaining about them, as that tends to see a stop to them for at least 2 years.   There was also one case where a person sued TVL for the costs of dealing with their nonsense - and won.