TV licensing investigation..

[Consumer dude]

Should I be worried..

[rebel11]

A few more details would be handy, why are they carrying out an investigation?

 

I've just done some digging around, do some googling.

Edited January 12, 2014 by rebel11

[ashmk]

You own a TV but use it only for Playstation, Netflix and other on demand services. You do not watch live broadcasts.

[determindator]

Should I be worried..

 

Life's too short to be afraid. Robbie Williams:-D

[honeybee13]

Thread moved to the TV Licensing forum.

 

HB

Edited January 12, 2014 by honeybee13
Spelling

[snowy101]

I am assuming you have received a letter from TVL stating that your property is under investigation. These letters are deliberately worded to put the fear of god into people . TVL will send out letters on a monthly cycle to all property`s that are not licenced & are computer generated , they go in cycles of threats.1st you will get the low[ish] level , then the medium level, then they will put you under investigation & when no one responds, the cycle then starts again.

 

If you are watching live feeds then you do need to purchase a TVL, if you`re not watching live feeds then either bin the letters or if you keep rabbits or hamsters, they make good bedding. Never ever phone them or go online to explain your situation. If you don`t need a licence & are civil enough to inform them, they will still keep hounding you . In their eyes you are an evader even if you don`t legally require a TVL..... so what`s the point in engaging with them!.

If you get a visit from a TVL inspector [ Capita salesman] you are under no legal obligation to furnish him / her with any personal information. Don`t engage with them in any way, tell them to leave your property & carry on with your life. Certainly don`t let these cycle of letters worry you. If i have assumed wrongly then we would need further information & can then advise accordingly.

[renegadeimp]

Send them the doorstep collectors letter. This will stop them coming to your home. Then basically just ignore them or send them a covering letter stating clearly that you do have a tv, but only use it to watch DVD's or play a console game. Since you removed their right to come to your house, they wont find out any different. It's a loophole in the law. It may be immoral to use it, but its also immoral to be forced under penalty of large fines or imprisonment to subsidise a private company such as the BBC. Even if you never watch BBC tv or listen to BBC radio, they still try and say you have to pay it.

[snowy101]

Send them the doorstep collectors letter. This will stop them coming to your home. Then basically just ignore them or send them a covering letter stating clearly that you do have a tv, but only use it to watch DVD's or play a console game. Since you removed their right to come to your house, they wont find out any different. It's a loophole in the law. It may be immoral to use it, but its also immoral to be forced under penalty of large fines or imprisonment to subsidise a private company such as the BBC. Even if you never watch BBC tv or listen to BBC radio, they still try and say you have to pay it.

 

I very strongly disagree with this kind of advice. I also think it is very dangerous too.

The best & most effective way is the " no contact " rule. You immediately flag yourself up as a target if you use the WOIRA / doorstep collectors . There has recently been a spate of search warrants issued to people using WOIRA as a method of trying to keep the TVL out.

 

There is absolutely no " loophole" in the law either. You are not legally required to inform or contact TVL & furnish them with any information. It really is that simple. I have had 2 visits in 5 years. I just don`t answer the door to them. I throw the letters in the bin & don`t waste time or energy on the subject.

 

The " advice" in your post is absolutely guaranteed to flag yourself up to TVL as a person who wants to " take them on".

[Consumer dude]

Life's too short to be afraid. Robbie Williams:-D

 

You mean I have to take that. lol..

[Consumer dude]

I very strongly disagree with this kind of advice. I also think it is very dangerous too.

The best & most effective way is the " no contact " rule. You immediately flag yourself up as a target if you use the WOIRA /

doorstep collectors . There has recently been a spate of search warrants issued to people using WOIRA as a method of trying to keep the TVL out.

 

There is absolutely no " loophole" in the law either. You are not legally required to inform or contact TVL & furnish them with any information. It really is that simple. I have had 2 visits in 5 years. I just don`t answer the door to them. I throw the letters in the bin & don`t waste time or energy on the subject.

 

The " advice" in your post is absolutely guaranteed to flag yourself up to TVL as a person who wants to " take them on".

 

I agree with you. I might start collecting the letters again though..

[renegadeimp]

Disagree if you want. its not actually illegal ( unless you are watching tv programs ( even then its TECHINCALLY illegal). It also isnt FOTL stuff. It's stuff used from actual law ( not the made up stuff FOTL uses) and is used by people who refuse to be forced to pay a corrupt and private company.

[Consumer dude]

Send them the doorstep collectors letter. This will stop them coming to your home. Then basically just ignore them or send them a covering letter stating clearly that you do have a tv, but only use it to watch DVD's or play a console game. Since you removed their right to come to your house, they wont find out any different. It's a loophole in the law. It may be immoral to use it, but its also immoral to be forced under penalty of large fines or imprisonment to subsidise a private company such as the BBC. Even if you never watch BBC tv or listen to BBC radio, they still try and say you have to pay it.

 

To be honest, I'd rather watch paint dry then contact them..

[renegadeimp]

I prefer to send that letter. Then there is no chance of them bothering me ever again.

[snowy101]

Disagree if you want. its not actually illegal ( unless you are watching tv programs ( even then its TECHINCALLY illegal). It also isnt FOTL stuff. It's stuff used from actual law ( not the made up stuff FOTL uses) and is used by people who refuse to be forced to pay a corrupt and private company.

 

 

OK let me explain, if you watch live TV feeds... you need a TV licence

 

If you don`t watch live TV feeds... you don`t need a TV licence.

Simple to understand ?.

 

If you don`t legally require a TVL , don`t bother communicating with TVL / Capita / BBC.

 

People come to this site to get clear, concise & accurate legal advice . I think if we post advice , then it should be with a good degree of knowledge & a duty of care to the recipient . Yours, is at best, wibble wobble nonsense & could potentially get people into very deep water.

[Consumer dude]

Tv licensing are very weary, they act with so much authority but infact have as much authority as Postman Pat..

[Consumer dude]

Perhaps I should write to them, from time to time to enquiry at what stage there investigation is up to. Is there such an investigation anyway ?

[andydd]

I too disagree with Renegadeimp's advice, withdrawing permission to visit may seem like a 'clever' idea but it can backfire, I believe it isnt wise to 'flag yourself' up in this way, there have been documented cases where once flagged up in this way, a warrant is sought for and granted, TVL (maybe accompanied by the Police) then have a legal right to enter the premises.

 

The best advice is IMO to do nothing, there is no legal onligation to inform TVL if you don't need a licence and writing withdrawing notice to visit isnt neccassary and provocative.

[Consumer dude]

The idea of the police turning up with them is outrageous..

[BazzaS]

I too agree that it is best NOT to withdraw your permission for them to visit.

 

I'd suggest saying they can try to visit anytime, as whatever time they try they won't find you watching live (or 'almost live') TV, but equally you know you are under no obligation to answer or in any way engage with their staff.

 

You don't watch live (or 'almost live') TV, and have no more to add.

[Consumer dude]

They can vist me if they wish under an agreement and I could charge them for the vist could I not ?

[renegadeimp]

I know its not the best idea. But until they actually caution you or get in your house, theyre the same as a dca.

 

All ill say is it worked for me and they sent me a letter saying they acknowledge I dont watch live tv and nobody will ever call.

[snowy101]

If anyone has any doubts about how Capita /TVL / BBC, love to get issued with a WIROA . Here is a link about a current Face Book page that is strongly suspected to be have been set up for the sole purpose of mis information & catching people after they have been encouraged to go down the WIROA route. It is a very long topic but well worth the effort & should open a few eyes as to how devious & untrustworthy the whole TVL collection business is.

 

Secondly , i would like to apologise to Renigadeimp for my " wibble wobble " comment . It is not helpful or harmonious to the site & although i strongly disagree with his / her views, i should know better than to resort to silliness. My sincere apologises to you Renigadeimp.

 

The back story , these 2 people have set up a FB group with virtually the same name as a well known TVL resistance site. Despite repeated requests to change the name they have refused, this makes very interesting & disturbing reading.

 

http://www.tvlicenceresistance.info/forum/index.php/topic,8603.0.html

[snowy101]

I know its not the best idea.

 

And yet you`re still advising others to follow that route, unbelievable IMO. I would also be interested in seeing a scan of this letter , because at best, TVL will only give any property that is not licenced a 2 year window of non contact & that is after they have inspected the property.

[renegadeimp]

I suggested it. Not directly advised it. However, i understand the concerns which is why im not mentioning anymore.

[Consumer dude]

Computer generated stuff and nonsense. Sooner they abolish this evil tax, the better..