BT debt - DCA threaten "doorstep call"

[archbutt]

Hello everyone, I would be very very grateful for any advice on this situation.

We were with BT for just over a year and had a terrible service with them: they promised us refunds etc.

Things got very confusing with them and what one person promised another denied and we were basically told "pay up an then we'll decide if we're going to give you the refund or not."

We complained and eventually cancelled service and BT accepted that we had had such a terrible time with them that they said we didn't have to pay any cancellaton fees etc. We said that we had no problem paying the final bill as long as we were given an up-to-date bill clearly showing the refunds and the periods they were for.

We have never had such a bill from BT and each subsequent bill they've sent since seems to be rising. We contacted them, via email, to say the same as above and shortly after that a DCA (CSL) contacted me to demand payment.

I informed them of the same, asking again for an up-to-date bill, and then I receive a postcard telling me that someone will be coming to visit me (power2contact??) in relation "to recent coresspondence."

 

I'm a little worried about this as it's just me and my son here during the day but am also really really angry at BT for this situation. Their whole attitude was one of "you pay us what we demand and if we fancy it we might then refund something"

I cannot even calculate what I should be paying as they've changed previous bills so often that nothing makes sense!

 

I have consistently asked for a clear up-to-date bill showing charges and refunds and have never received this; I have made the point to anyoe that will listen that I cannot pay when I don't know what I owe...and why

 

After the first postcard I sent the following letter:

 

"Please be advised that I will only communicate with you in writing. I have noted your repeated attempts to contact me by telephone over the past few weeks and these have been duly logged by time and date. You have so far ignored my efforts to resolve this matter.

 

Furthermore, should it be your intention to arrange a “doorstep call”, please be advised that under OFT rules, you can only visit me at my home if you make an appointment and I have no wish to make an appointment with you.

 

There is only an implied license under English Common Law for people to be able to visit me on my property without express permission; the postman and people asking for directions etc (Armstrong v. Sheppard and Short Ltd [1959] 2 Q.B. per Lord Evershed M.R.). Therefore take note that I revoke license under Common Law for you, or your representatives to visit me at my property and if you do so, then you will be liable to damages for a tort of trespass and action will be taken, including but not limited to, police attendance."

 

which someone from this site kindly gave me. They have obviously ignored this as I have received the same postcard from them today.

I am loathe to let BT get away with this type of activity also!

 

I would be grateful if there is anything anyone can suggest their postcard said that I would be getting a visit tomorrow.

 

Thank you.

[mr.ton]

Aaaahh good old Power2contact....im still waiting for a visit off them from last year

In the unlikely event that someone does turn up, politely ask them to leave & if they dont, ring the police and report a breach of the peace.

They simply have no power/authority over you whatsoever.

Only the county court has that & until it ever goes through the CC system..then tell em to get lost

[archbutt]

Thanks for the response. I had suspected something like that.

I'm still a little concerned though that this could go further as BT are saying "you owe this" and all I have is an email from months ago mentioning refunds!

 

Is there anything I can do to get this sorted? Thanks

[mr.ton]

Like i say...let the matter be sorted out in a county court once & for all.

They wont take you there coz it will them money to do so...so if they can intimidate you into paying up before hand, then thats what they'll do.

[ScabHunter]

I am sorry to hear of the troubles of another member of the BT "fan club".

 

My experience of their "customer service" is that it is the worst on the entire planet - and I wasn't even a customer - just someone they tried to create a fake account for when a relative passed away.

 

After they totally ignored every complaint at every level, it went to the ombudsman Otelo who agreed with everything I had said and awarded compensation.

 

I would advise you to take this through the official BT complaints procedure, which in my experience doesn't even exist and is just there to make the commercial propaganda look better, and then on to Otelo, which at least does exist. Of course, I cannot guarantee the same result.

 

As for the debt thugs, I would just write them ONE letter stating that the account has been passed to them unlawfully while in dispute, and that any attempts to collect money will be reported to the relevant authorities. Ask for a copy of their formal complaints procedure which you will need to go through before you can take this to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

 

The power2contact thugs should be sent the letter you have already sent them, and then if they do turn up, call the police (Local station, not 999). If you have a cell phone you can have the police on line as you tell the idiot to disappear.

 

Don't worry about doorstep harassment. These pests have no rights whatsoever and can simply be told to leave. It costs them money to make these nuisance visits, so if they are clearly for nothing they will soon stop. That is if they ever start in the first place.

 

SH