Virgin Media and Deceased Mother - WTF!!!

[RedVixen]

Well its like this

My mother passed away towards the end of April she had Virgin media connected for TV Phone and Broadband

We contacted everyone to explain hat she had died including VM and to stop everthing that we needed to stop. This includes VM as the house is empty. They have responded by saying that they can't completely disconnect anything until the outstanding bill is settled. It is now on a basic service but is still accruing charges and it will be months before the estate is settled and VM quite frankly are not a priority

This is outrageous - has anyone any ideas of what stick to hit the greedy bar stewards with

[*Twinkle*]

Hi Red Vixen,
It sounds to me as if they are now holding on to see how much they can get once everything is sorted out!
I would send a copy of the death certificate to them with a strongly worded letter informing them that they will be paid until x date once your mothers estate has gone through probate.
Twinkle

[JonCris]

Any charges imposed by VM AFTER her death are none recoverable particularly as they have been informed. When writing I should remind them of this.

Most utility companies try this trick. Also they often seem to produce greatly inflated final bills which when challenged turnout to have no relation to reality

VM can quite easily issue a final bill & send it to you for eventual settlement marking the account 'deceased awaiting probate' The bill should only cover the period up to her death

[RedVixen]

Thanks

I will get on this one - my brother is dealing with most of this stuff as he lives locally


This really is not a priority for either of us but as I in letter writing mode I will get onto this

[JonCris]

You could send you letter here

Mr Richard Branson
11 HollandPark
London W11 3TH

[JonCris]

& if that proves fruitless although some may be out of date try any of these

CRDirectors@fly.virgin.co m - Senior customer relations managers
Louise.A.Longworth@fly.vi rgin.com - Customer Liaison Manager
paul.charles@fly.virgin.c om - Director of Corporate Communications
katie.francis@fly.virgin. com - PA to Director of Corporate Communications
steve.ridgway@fly.virgin. com - Chief Executive
lyell.strambi@fly.virgin. com - Chief Operating Officer
willy.boulter@fly.virgin. com - Director of Commercial Operations
paul.dickinson@fly.virgin .com - Director of Sales and Marketing
richard.branson@fly.virgi n.com - The Big Cheese

[rippedoffagain]

Forgive my naivete, but is Richard Branson still associated with Virgin Media.

[JonCris]

I understood he only sold the Virgin Mega stores but not Virgin Media.

In fact didn't he recently start to sue Sky because of a dispute over fees to use their satellite

[RedVixen]

Ha ha - I like the idea of writing to Richard Branson - i could include a second complaint about their £5 per month DD charge and late payment charge as well

[rippedoffagain]

Not sure, quote fro Wiki:-

On 4 July 2006, Branson sold his Virgin Mobile company to UK cable TV, broadband, and telephone company NTL/NTL:Telewest for almost £1 billion. As part of the sale, the company pays a minimum of £8.5 million per year to use the Virgin name and Branson became the company's largest shareholder. The new company was launched with much fanfare and publicity on 8 February 2007, under the name Virgin Media. The decision to merge his Virgin Media Company with NTL was in order to integrate both of the companies' compatible parts of commerce. Branson used to own three quarters of Virgin Mobile, whereas now he owns 15 percent of the new Virgin Media company.

[locutus]

If he's still the largest shareholder then he has enough clout to get this problem sorted.

May I also pass on my condolences, and ask that you don't worry about these problems but focus on making sure you and your family are all coping with your loss.

[RedVixen]

Thanks locustus we are doing just fine these details help focus the mind