TV Licence article Discussion

anotherbaldrick

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Then I would advise against simply cancelling the DD.

If you do, you will likely start to receive letters from a DCA called Iqor, chasing you for the "arrears" you allegedly owe to TV Licensing.

Instead, simply ring/write to TV Licensing, stating you no longer need a TV Licence, and are cancelling it.

Once you've done that, make no further contact with them.

iQor is privately owned—by Huntsman Gay Global Capital—and the company's management team. iQor acquired the RMS in 2010, which was headquartered in Bethlehem, PA.
In 2012, a CBC news investigation found that iQor routinely and sometimes knowingly repeatedly contacted people who did not owe debt. The investigation noted that in 2012, two Canadian provinces had fined iQor for violating provincial regulations. In 2010, Allied Interstate, a subsidiary of iQor, was fined 1.75 million by the Federal Trade Commission for harassing debtors and trying to collect from the wrong people.

It used to be serviced by Capita, what happened to them ? did they get the heavo ?

canal-man

In Para 9 on the website, Martin's People say -

no licence required if "Aged 74 and over".
I'm sure that should be (as quoted in para 17) "Aged 75 or over"
Also, it was not made clear that only ONE PERSON in the house needs to be this age for no licence required.

(From a reader approaching 74)

Cornucopia

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

It used to be serviced by Capita, what happened to them ? did they get the heavo ?

There's a bunch of outsource companies involved. Capita is still the main one (runs the call centre, sends the field staff).

Cornucopia

canal-man wrote: »

In Para 9 on the website, Martin's People say -

no licence required if "Aged 74 and over".
I'm sure that should be (as quoted in para 17) "Aged 75 or over"
Also, it was not made clear that only ONE PERSON in the house needs to be this age for no licence required.

(From a reader approaching 74)

Once you turn 74, you can register with TVL for a part-year licence that takes you up to the free one.

And yes, the free licence applies to any household in which one or more of the residents is 75 years or older.

anotherbaldrick

Cornucopia wrote: »

Once you turn 74, you can register with TVL for a part-year licence that takes you up to the free one.

And yes, the free licence applies to any household in which one or more of the residents is 75 years or older.

And they send you one that is good for three years. ADOPT AN OLD GROTT ! I'm available !

[Deleted User]

And, provided you remain resident at the address, you can continue to use the free licence, after the holder has passed away, until the licence expires.

Road_Hog

I had my second visit in about 5 years yesterday - I work from home, so it's unlikely I've had many visits whilst I'm not there.

There was a bit of irony in the fact that Mr.Capita was Polish (or similar Eastern European) in that we're now importing people to hassle at our own homes. Christ, there are enough indigenous unemployed/underemployed people in this country that we don't other people coming to visit our homes. Now before someone cultural Marxist starts squawking about racism or xenophobia, it's nothing to do with that, I just have sympathy for those that are unemployed.

He was well versed in the psychology, telling me he was looking for no.X house on X.road and he had his little map out in his folder and had he got the right place - he of course had used his portable satnav and knew exactly where he was, this is merely their preamble and the metaphorical foot in the door opener.

Then he tells me who he is, shows me his ID card which is made us much as possible to look like a police warrant card, he later refers to himself as an officer - I didn't let him get to the stage where he 'cautions' me. He tried his basic 'hook' opening question, so do you watch TV on Freeview or through SKY? Notice how it is not a positive - negative answer question (yes - no), but only a positive where you are encouraged to answer in the positive. It's really quite tiresome.

I'd already told him I was just about to sit down and eat dinner (it was getting on for 8:00 o'clock. He was still pushing to come in (wife was in her dressing gown) and I was trying to be polite when I really wanted to tell him to push off. Tried the usual of, if I can just come in and check it, then you won't be bothered anymore. Which isn't true, even if you let them in to check, they're not interested in taking you 'off' the list/database.

They're only interested in selling TV licences or taking people to court, there's no money in it for identifying that people aren't watching TV, and even if you allow them in to check, the system would chuck you straight back on the 'list' because as far as they're concerned, you could have gone out and bought a TV the next day or somebody new moved into the property who needs a licence.

Former_MSE_Becca

Road_Hog wrote: »

I had my second visit in about 5 years yesterday - I work from home, so it's unlikely I've had many visits whilst I'm not there.

There was a bit of irony in the fact that Mr.Capita was Polish (or similar Eastern European) in that we're now importing people to hassle at our own homes. Christ, there are enough indigenous unemployed/underemployed people in this country that we don't other people coming to visit our homes. Now before someone cultural Marxist starts squawking about racism or xenophobia, it's nothing to do with that, I just have sympathy for those that are unemployed.

He was well versed in the psychology, telling me he was looking for no.X house on X.road and he had his little map out in his folder and had he got the right place - he of course had used his portable satnav and knew exactly where he was, this is merely their preamble and the metaphorical foot in the door opener.

Then he tells me who he is, shows me his ID card which is made us much as possible to look like a police warrant card, he later refers to himself as an officer - I didn't let him get to the stage where he 'cautions' me. He tried his basic 'hook' opening question, so do you watch TV on Freeview or through SKY? Notice how it is not a positive - negative answer question (yes - no), but only a positive where you are encouraged to answer in the positive. It's really quite tiresome.

I'd already told him I was just about to sit down and eat dinner (it was getting on for 8:00 o'clock. He was still pushing to come in (wife was in her dressing gown) and I was trying to be polite when I really wanted to tell him to push off. Tried the usual of, if I can just come in and check it, then you won't be bothered anymore. Which isn't true, even if you let them in to check, they're not interested in taking you 'off' the list/database.

They're only interested in selling TV licences or taking people to court, there's no money in it for identifying that people aren't watching TV, and even if you allow them in to check, the system would chuck you straight back on the 'list' because as far as they're concerned, you could have gone out and bought a TV the next day or somebody new moved into the property who needs a licence.

So what happened Road-hog? I'd be interested to hear...

MSE Becca

Cornucopia

Becca - this is what they (BBC/TVL) do.

3.5m times a year (Source: BBC Trust) they attempt to call on an address where there is no record of a licence. No other "agency" in the UK pursues innocent people in their own homes like this.

In all likelihood, Road-hog will hear nothing more from this particular visit. They may get other visits, and may receive a stream of threatening letters - people who do not comply with the BBC's process get an average of one per month until they do - even though they are under no legal obligation to comply.

The process is a legal mess, and as the recession bites and the technology for non-Live TV improves, more and more people are being affected by it.

Many people (including me) have complained to the highest authorities, but nothing is done. Personally, I have come to the conclusion that the Government (all Governments) are wary of the BBC - fearful of the direct and indirect political damage that might occur if they were seen to interfere....

... even if that interference is more than justified.

Road_Hog

MSE_Becca wrote: »

So what happened Road-hog? I'd be interested to hear...

MSE Becca

I asked him to leave. My home is my sanctuary, my place to get away from other people and to have a bit of peace and quiet.

I certainly was not going to let someone in from a private company, at 8:00pm in the evening just as I was about to sit down to eat and the wife was in her dressing gown. I also don't like people who are not friends or relatives coming into my home.

Besides, it doesn't stop them, even if you let them in, they will continue to send you a threatening monthly letter and every so often you will receive a visit, so it's pointless letting them in anyway.