£52 bill going up and up

[michellecorlett2005]

Hi, wonder if could get some advice

I cancelled my BT contract after many years because they restricted my line when I cancelled the direct debit and wouldn't restart it until I paid the outstanding amount - this p****d me off so said go to hell will go to another provider and did exactly that. I talked to and emailled BT re the outstanding amount and agreed with them that I could repay it at £20 a fortnight and that I would make the payments on a Tuesday because this is when I received my tax credits.

Next thing is I am getting letters and telephone calls of a debt collection company and they have added £20 to the bill to cover administration charge. OK fair enough this time. So paid religiously. Unfortunately my 5 month old baby has been quite poorly for a few days (which has now turned in to weeks) and is not sleeping or eating properly, I to felt extremely unwell on the day that I was to make the payment, both of us just stayed in bed all day, trying to get over the incessant tiredness and feeling unwell, the next day (less than 10 hours after the payment was due) I struggled with the baby and walked to the nearest paypoint and made the payment. I then receive a letter and the bill has gone up again by £20 no explaination other than you failed to make the payment, no notice in an previous correspondence that a charge would be applied if I failed to make the payment on the stated day. Now they send me a letter every fortnight to say thank you for making the payment, no charge applied for that, this letter was no different only you not made the payment so just a few words different. I don't think I should make the £20 additional charge payment and am only due them £12 to clear the account. This has just seriously annoyed me, its like they think they can just charge charge charge and if you don't feel 100% then there is no let up from them making a bad situation worse and worse. I feel like just telling them all the go to hell in not so polite terms.

Does anyone think i should just send them a letter and say go to hell basically
thanks

[fuzzybobble]

I'd send them a Subject Access Request.
It costs £10, but in return you'll get all the info on what's been happening with the account and all the charges they have been adding.
You should be able to claim them back, as with credit card charges, etc.

Also this will throw the account into dispute, and should keep the Debt Collectors busy for a while.
If they keep sending letters demanding money, keep this thread updated with what's happening. Then you'll get lots of help and advice on how to send them packing.

From what you have said, you should end up with a nice refund of charges, if the charges have amounted to more than what you originally owed. So well worth chasing them for it.

[dpick]

Hi totally agree these administration charges are treated by the court in the same way as credit card charges I have got admin charges back from Littlewoods, JD Williams and N power. They all folded one before court the other two after I filed at court and they paid them in full.

all the best dpick

[michellecorlett2005]

that sounds brill, I will try but intend only paying what should be my final instalment on Tuesday and will send a letter along the Subject Access Request route and hopefully they just drop them to start with. Will keep updated as it goes, Many thanks

[fuzzybobble]

You're welcome, just keep this thread updated as things progress, then you can get the advice and help you need to send them packing.

Good luck.

[PriorityOne]

You are entitled to ask for a Statement of Account, which is free.
Make sure it goes off by rec. delivery though.

Once you receive it back, just deduct the charges from the outstanding balance and pay off the remainder. A Subject Access Request does not place an account in dispute... it's simply a request for info. under The Data Protection Act and in this case, would seem to be an unnecessary expense.

[mr.ton]

Originally Posted by michellecorlett2005

Hi, wonder if could get some advice

I cancelled my BT contract after many years because they restricted my line when I cancelled the direct debit and wouldn't restart it until I paid the outstanding amount - this p****d me off so said go to hell will go to another provider and did exactly that. I talked to and emailled BT re the outstanding amount and agreed with them that I could repay it at £20 a fortnight and that I would make the payments on a Tuesday because this is when I received my tax credits.

Next thing is I am getting letters and telephone calls of a debt collection company and they have added £20 to the bill to cover administration charge. OK fair enough this time. So paid religiously. Unfortunately my 5 month old baby has been quite poorly for a few days (which has now turned in to weeks) and is not sleeping or eating properly, I to felt extremely unwell on the day that I was to make the payment, both of us just stayed in bed all day, trying to get over the incessant tiredness and feeling unwell, the next day (less than 10 hours after the payment was due) I struggled with the baby and walked to the nearest paypoint and made the payment. I then receive a letter and the bill has gone up again by £20 no explaination other than you failed to make the payment, no notice in an previous correspondence that a charge would be applied if I failed to make the payment on the stated day. Now they send me a letter every fortnight to say thank you for making the payment, no charge applied for that, this letter was no different only you not made the payment so just a few words different. I don't think I should make the £20 additional charge payment and am only due them £12 to clear the account. This has just seriously annoyed me, its like they think they can just charge charge charge and if you don't feel 100% then there is no let up from them making a bad situation worse and worse. I feel like just telling them all the go to hell in not so polite terms.
Does anyone think i should just send them a letter and say go to hell basically
thanks

Oh absolutely yes!
Everytime they add on this £20 fee - inform them that you are deducting the £20 fee
A nice game of tit for tat soon puts these arrogant companies in their place

[sillygirl1]

Also inform them that you are charging them £5.75 per hour (minimum wage) for the work you are doing and another £15 for your costs... did that with one DCA and they stopped sending threatomatic letters every week...

[babybear39]

Great idea sillygirl1