ChatterBank0 min ago
TV Licence dispute- Help
48 Answers
I renewed my TV licence on-line last November and have e-mail and documentary proof of having done so (Expiry Date:30 Sep 2010)
At the beginning of this month I began receiving letters advising me that I was unlicensed, demanding payment and threatening prosecution if this was not forthcoming.
I called 'Capita' , the private company that collects TV License fees to find out why I was sent these letters.
I was advised that due to a "technical error" on their system, the funds had not been transferred from my bank to them. (They claimed to have sent a letter back in December 2009 informing me of this. I received no such letter.)
I was advised to visit my bank and check that this was the case.
Yesterday I did so only to be told that I would hve to pay 2 ponds for a statemnet from that period since immediate records go back only 6 months.
On a point of principal I called Capita asking them to send this fee since the fault was theirs and I was already out of pocket for phone and petrol. Their Customer Service Team member advised me that I would have to pay this and apply for reimbursement in writing. I told him I would do this if I had it in writing that they would honour this arrangement. He said that I would have to put this request in writing!
This comes at the end of a week that has seen my wife being doorstepped at our home by a Capita agent armed with a chip and pin machine requesting payment and threatening prosecution if this is not forthcoming. (My wife explained the situation and politely refused.)
I would be grateful to hear from someone who knows my rights and can advise me of my legal position regarding this matter.
Many thanks in advance...
At the beginning of this month I began receiving letters advising me that I was unlicensed, demanding payment and threatening prosecution if this was not forthcoming.
I called 'Capita' , the private company that collects TV License fees to find out why I was sent these letters.
I was advised that due to a "technical error" on their system, the funds had not been transferred from my bank to them. (They claimed to have sent a letter back in December 2009 informing me of this. I received no such letter.)
I was advised to visit my bank and check that this was the case.
Yesterday I did so only to be told that I would hve to pay 2 ponds for a statemnet from that period since immediate records go back only 6 months.
On a point of principal I called Capita asking them to send this fee since the fault was theirs and I was already out of pocket for phone and petrol. Their Customer Service Team member advised me that I would have to pay this and apply for reimbursement in writing. I told him I would do this if I had it in writing that they would honour this arrangement. He said that I would have to put this request in writing!
This comes at the end of a week that has seen my wife being doorstepped at our home by a Capita agent armed with a chip and pin machine requesting payment and threatening prosecution if this is not forthcoming. (My wife explained the situation and politely refused.)
I would be grateful to hear from someone who knows my rights and can advise me of my legal position regarding this matter.
Many thanks in advance...
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Does Capita forward your licence fee to TV Licensing? If so, you could check with TV Licensing to see if they have got your licence fee. Try: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk
I mention this because, as I have no TV set, and therefore no TV licence, I sometimes get letters on this subject from TV Licensing. Incidentally, the person whose name is on my latest letter is Joanne Osborne, of Customer Services. Best of luck.
I mention this because, as I have no TV set, and therefore no TV licence, I sometimes get letters on this subject from TV Licensing. Incidentally, the person whose name is on my latest letter is Joanne Osborne, of Customer Services. Best of luck.
Thanks for all who have answered.
I input my Licence number at the TV licensing website only to get the message"you have input incorrect information..." or words to that effect. I assume that as far as TV Licensing is concerned I do not have a valid licence.
Woofgang, I have a licence that was sent from TV Licensing and so do not understand why this would have been sent if the payment had not gone through.
Kathyan, my thinking was the same as yours regarding the burden of proof.
Factor30, I made a one off payment as opposed to setting up a Direct Debit.I do not use internet or telephone banking as I am wary of security problems.
Jackthehat, who is RebelSouls?
I input my Licence number at the TV licensing website only to get the message"you have input incorrect information..." or words to that effect. I assume that as far as TV Licensing is concerned I do not have a valid licence.
Woofgang, I have a licence that was sent from TV Licensing and so do not understand why this would have been sent if the payment had not gone through.
Kathyan, my thinking was the same as yours regarding the burden of proof.
Factor30, I made a one off payment as opposed to setting up a Direct Debit.I do not use internet or telephone banking as I am wary of security problems.
Jackthehat, who is RebelSouls?
He spends a lot of time in the 'news' section flagging up issues surrounding the bbc and licence enforcement.
As I pay by monthly direct debit, the collection dates and amounts are printed on the Licence itself. I, too, am surprised that a licence has been issued 'before' it has been paid for (if you like).
Which bank are you with ?
As I pay by monthly direct debit, the collection dates and amounts are printed on the Licence itself. I, too, am surprised that a licence has been issued 'before' it has been paid for (if you like).
Which bank are you with ?
It is probably a simple error on their part (maybe you have two different account numbers or, perhaps, the way that your postal address is set out is different from that which they hold for you) but it must be frustrating for you to have them looking for their money and you have actually paid it.
I hope you get it sorted out - once you have checked if the payment was made to them you should be able to resolve it easily.
I hope you get it sorted out - once you have checked if the payment was made to them you should be able to resolve it easily.
I am wondering how many other people out there have encountered Capita's "technical error" and find themselves in the same position.
I also wonder if TV Licensing are aware of Capita's administrative malfunctions and are perhaps deliberating over whether or not to renew the contract with them. Capita is a private company with shareholders...draw your own conclusions...
I wouldn't be surprised (if the problem is widespread ) for them to lose the gig so to speak.
I also wonder if TV Licensing are aware of Capita's administrative malfunctions and are perhaps deliberating over whether or not to renew the contract with them. Capita is a private company with shareholders...draw your own conclusions...
I wouldn't be surprised (if the problem is widespread ) for them to lose the gig so to speak.
Sounds like Capita have made a mistake or two. Why, if the payment in November failed, did they not contact you then? Why no follow up letter in, say, February? Why has it taken 10 months to chase this. Letters sent in December just get caught up in the Christmas mail. Although I bank on-line, I always keep hard copies of bank statements sent to me for at least a year.
Must admit I have a vested interest in saying they should never have taken the work away from Post Offices. Then you would have had a receipt, as well as the Licence.
Must admit I have a vested interest in saying they should never have taken the work away from Post Offices. Then you would have had a receipt, as well as the Licence.
There is quite a long road to travel before you find yourself actually in front of 'the beak'. If you are genuinely concerned, I suggest you stump up the £2 for your bank statement. This will, at least, confirm that you have right on your side..............and then you can tell them to take a running jump.......
