BT now charging £3 for paper bills

Vegastare

Yet another company who deems it ok to skim more off elderley or those not able to access online services.
Was so shocked at this -while only a small price it really only effect those like the older person who still don't access online via mobile or broadband.  Yes the answer is DD put then again some older folk don't like that.
Have convinced MIL to set up DD.  But not easy to convince.

Peter999_2

I'm sorry you feel that way, but the fact is that it costs to print out the paper bills and post it to you whereas online is very cheap for them.

I think it would be an issue if it wasn't offered at all, but I don't think £3 is an unreasonable charge.   I help elderly people get online and for some reason none of them are bothered about seeing bills from broadband/phone companies.  They all check their bank statements instead and make sure it is what they expect and are happy with that.

maisie_cat

My FIL is 88, I look after his bills and let him know they are okay, I input his meter readings and I print the bills off. Every so often I drop a printed copy at his house, if I'm happy that the bills and massive credit balance are correct he is happy. The cost of a printed bill reflects the cost, not least the postage.

MattMattMattUK

Vegastare said:

Yet another company who deems it ok to skim more off elderley or those not able to access online services.
Was so shocked at this -while only a small price it really only effect those like the older person who still don't access online via mobile or broadband.  Yes the answer is DD put then again some older folk don't like that.
Have convinced MIL to set up DD.  But not easy to convince.

It is nothing to do with age, or "skimming more off elderly". It is a service that has an additional cost to provide so those that choose that service should be required to pay for it.

oldernonethewiser

My mother is a big fan of paper bills. Fortunately her bank still sends them out although we did have to request that as they were going to stop. No cost involved 

She has no internet access of any kind at home. 

Kim_13

Their website states that those on the following services don’t have to pay: 

• BT Basic customers
• Home Essentials customers
• Customers who are on Line Rental Plus
• Customers receiving alternative media bills such as Braille, large print and audio
• Customers getting Front page only bills
• Homephone Saver customers
• Customers who have our reduced rental for Landline Only (they have no broadband with us or any other supplier)

This would cover the majority of elderly users, so it isn’t an attack on them. My criticism of it would be that we continue to need to prove our ID and a paper bill is one of a limited number of acceptable items. If you need a bill to prove your identity, it’s not a choice, as the company asking for it will be acting in accordance with regulations.

Neil_Jones

Vegastare said:

Yet another company who deems it ok to skim more off elderley or those not able to access online services.
Was so shocked at this -while only a small price it really only effect those like the older person who still don't access online via mobile or broadband.  Yes the answer is DD put then again some older folk don't like that.
Have convinced MIL to set up DD.  But not easy to convince.

BT have charged for paper bills for ages, its not new.

They used to charge £6 for them back in 2013 for businesses, and the £3 for domestic users dates back to at least 2018.

Why have you only just noticed?

The easy solution here is to print them out yourself if you really need a paper copy.

Kim_13 said:

This would cover the majority of elderly users, so it isn’t an attack on them. My criticism of it would be that we continue to need to prove our ID and a paper bill is one of a limited number of acceptable items. If you need a bill to prove your identity, it’s not a choice, as the company asking for it will be acting in accordance with regulations.

Paper bills are almost always for proof of address, not proof of ID.  You can use something like a driving licence for one or the other, but not for both in a lot of cases (though most people will use it as proof of ID because of the photo), so you'd need something else for address.

Acceptable proof of ID for address can be utility bill (including council tax bill), bank statements or something from HMRC (or driving licence if some other proof if ID).

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proof-of-identity-checklist/proof-of-identity-checklist#proof-of-identity-checklist-for-individuals might be of interest.

Vegastare

I can asure you this is the first bill that has had £3 added to it.
My MIL is on pension credits and has been the same quarterly amount for some time....suddenly this bill it is £3 more.
My eyesight and that of my mothers is not in question.
I find that this action is sadly costing her more.
I shall discuss with BT