TV Licence article Discussion

nickcc

Getting fed up with the scam TV licensing emails ending .be I keep getting telling me that my Direct Debit has been cancelled so I need to setup a new one, strange how they include a link.  Threat of debt collectors is of course included.

FreeBear

-taff said: I just open the letters they send , laugh, and bin them.

I don't even bother to open the letters. Anything with a Darlington postcode just gets shoved on to the (ever increasing) pile to be handed back to their "inspector" should he/she ever call.

TV is sitting in the front room, de-tuned, and no connection to an aerial. They will never get in without a warrant, and will only get a short, sharp response if they ever knock - Two or three words, one being "off".

cw18

FreeBear said:

-taff said: I just open the letters they send , laugh, and bin them.

I don't even bother to open the letters. Anything with a Darlington postcode just gets shoved on to the (ever increasing) pile to be handed back to their "inspector" should he/she ever call.

I like to open them to see what the latest wording is, or which of the many previous missives they've decided to repeat.

They then get put back into the original envelope which is added to the pile to be handed back when I get another visit.   The only one I've had so far was when I was at work, but the business card left in my mailbox (over a year ago) assured me they'd be back.

timK

What do people do if an inspector comes round and rings the doorbell - assuming that I don't know it's them.

I only use my TV for netflix and youtube now.

• What do they say?
• And do people say "go away", but doesn't that arouse suspicion in them? If I say "I just use it for netflix..." is that giving away too much info?

I guess it's good to be primed, as we can't always tell?

castle96

say NOTHING. Do not give them a name or swear at them. Smile and close the door. If you want to complete a no licence needed declaration on line for what good that is

Watchkeeper

People only need remember that the sole power the BBC has in law to enforce the TV licence (the State's permission to watch "live" broadcasts - think about that!) is to convince a tame magistrate that illegal TV watching is taking place and that s/he should issue a search warrant so the BBC can gain entry. That's it, and that's all of it. The trading name "TV Licensing", the threatening letters, the "inspectors", the "interview under caution" etc are all inventions of the BBC with no basis in law and as such can be safely ignored. A search warrant is simply that - the State's permission to turn over your house, nothing more.   In the end, the BBC needs a named individual to prosecute but it has no powers to compel anyone to divulge their name.  That's why the whole TV licensing scam is mere smoke and mirrors, a house of cards. As de Gaulle said, silence is the ultimate weapon of power. If people never communicate with the BBC in any way they are safe,

[Deleted User]

I don't see why I should give them my details to declare that I don't need a licence. I don't give my details to Tesco to declare that I don't shop with them.

I don't think I've had a TVL Goon at the door in years to be honest, certainly can't remember the last time I had one of those "We said we'd call" notes put through the letterbox.

Either they have got the message after 10 years that I won't be buying a licence, or they just can't get any Goons to work the area.

Cornucopia

timK said:

What do people do if an inspector comes round and rings the doorbell - assuming that I don't know it's them.

I only use my TV for netflix and youtube now.

• What do they say?
• And do people say "go away", but doesn't that arouse suspicion in them? If I say "I just use it for netflix..." is that giving away too much info?

I guess it's good to be primed, as we can't always tell?

"What do they say?"  That's one quite important detail of the topic that I've never managed to obtain.  I must have asked the question of dozens of people who have spoken to them, but never got a straight answer.


Some of the things we do know:-
- They are supposed to begin the conversation by saying who they are, and showing their ID card, but they don't always do that.

- Instead they might open with your name (or the name from the database), or by asking if you have recently moved in.

- If you look at the Daily Mail undercover operation, the TVL manager says that this casual conversation is critical - presumably people give away both incriminating info, and personal info without too much fuss if they don't realise the significance.

On which basis, the best advice is not to even open the door if you can avoid it.  This could mean talking to them through the window or over a door intercom (neither of which can be used in Court).   If you speak to them directly, be wary of confirming your name.   In fact, in some circumstances you can use their data protection policy against them:-

TVL:  Is that Mr Cornucopia?

Me:  Who's asking?

TVL:  I can't tell you that until I confirm that you are Mr Cornucopia.

Me:  Best toddle off, then.

Beyond that, there's no obligation to answer their questions or provide personal info, and IMHO it is in your interests not to do so.   Equally, I would also avoid saying anything that equates to them never getting access.   An ideal response is:  "Sorry, it's not convenient right now, but please come back some other time".  

cw18

My latest threatogram just arrived.   Acording to the large white text on red background in the (almost as wide as the envelope) message window, my attention is required.

It's had as much attention as the others....   open, scan, put back in envelope, add to pile of previous missives.

[Deleted User]

cw18 said:

My latest threatogram just arrived.   Acording to the large white text on red background in the (almost as wide as the envelope) message window, my attention is required.

It's had as much attention as the others....   open, scan, put back in envelope, add to pile of previous missives.

They get as much of my attention that is required and that is the minimal amount. Ripped up and straight in bin unopened.