i cancelled a mobile phone contract, and they've now charged me can i cancel the direct debit so they don't get their hands on the money?

[baggysenior]

i cancelled a mobile phone contract from 28th feb with virgin. I've just had a bill for £60, as from the 5th march- today the phone i had was being used for texts for someone other than me ( i didn't know!) i've just spoken to them and they said yes i have to pay the £60 even though i cancelled the contract. Its my fault apparently because i should have said disconnect the line. My direct debit is still active, can they come after me for the money, even though i had ceased the contract? i don't want to get into trouble, but i can't help feeling i've been robbed! the woman i spoke to wasn't helpful, she just said i have to pay!

[welshlibranr]

You can get the DD cancelled with your bank, if you do online bbanking there is a facility to do this easlily, and then they won't pay Virgin, but Virgin will probably still bill you for the money!......maybe best to cancel the DD anyway, then they can't just take anything in future!........

[pretty_snowdrop]

You can easily cancel the dd at your bank however the mobile phone company will still hound you for any payments they think they are owed. If you have cancelled the contract they technically shouldn't take any money by direct debit and if they do your bank should refund you under the dd guarantee scheme. I advise you to contact them again and if need be demand to speak to a manager. You cancelled in good faith and if the line should have been disconnected they should have advised you. Make sure they write off the payment otherwise it may end up showing on your credit file.

[maclarencat]

Do you know the person who has been using your phone? If so could you ask them to pay it as it was them making the texts?

[askyourgran]

MrAsk cancelled his 3 network phone because we could never get a signal where we live, it was a total waste of money, He rang 3 to tell them but they still charged him because he had to give a months notice (small print) even though the contract time was finished and he hadn't used the phone for months. He now has pay-as-you-go. Pay up and put it down to experience.

[baggysenior]

thanks people. I think i do know who has been using my phone but all i can say is i'm not in a position to ask them, and they probably haven't got the money anyway!! they do know of the bill though. It's typical. I thought i'd covered everything. Obviously not.Its a warning for you guys should you be in a similar position xx