18month phone contract

[peachy-pete]

my daughter signed up to an 18month mobile phone contract with 02 and they are still taking money out of her bank account 2months after it expired as they say she didn`t cancel the contract, the phone has not been used for over 4month and 02 want 28 days notice to cancel it now,has anyone got any advice on how she can recover the money already taken and/or avoid paying another £40 line rental?

[humphreybumphrey]

After the initial 18 month period (the spell you spend paying off the iphone or whatever) the contract rolls on until you cancel it with the requisite notice.

I would guess the chances of getting anything back are slim. So cancel now in writing and maybe talk nice to a team leader at the call centre.

[bednobs]

agreed - yu have t cancel otherwise the contract just rolls on

[factor-fiction]

Yes, it would have been an 18 month minimum contract. At any time after 17 months and 3 days you can give 28 days' notice.

[humphreybumphrey]

All depends on the timing, but you may be able to reduce the contract tariff (with mobile contracts you normally get bundle deals so if she isn't using the phone, she'll be paying for calls/texts/data she isn't using either) to the absolute minimum while running out the 28 days notice period.

[foodluva]

The contract term merely stipulates the period you cannot cancel without penalties. Beyond this date, the contract will continue until cancelled by the contract owner or until the contract owner ports out to another network. This will be laid out in the terms and conditions of the contract. I used to work for the mobile phone ombudsman and can tell you that you won't have a leg to stand on if you are looking for a refund of line rental for the unused months. Humphrey Bumphrey is right! Your best bet is to explain nicely to a team leader that you misunderstood the process. They may come to some agreement to partially refund some monies to you - but they have no obligation to do so! Oh and if you haven't already done so, cancel the contract immediately. Every day clocks up more line rental!