Bailiffs in at BBC obtain 7 years interest on overpayment of TV licence

[Its WAR]

My aged uncle had been paying for his TV licence by auto renewing monthly direct debits despite (despite turning 75 years old 7 years ago). My request for a refund was ignored for over a month, so I made a Direct Debit Indemnity claim and received a full refund for 7 years overpayment within the day from my bank.  It was very simple.

 

I then asked TV licensing for a compensation payment for the interest and they have refused on the grounds they did nothing wrong. It seems they do not take customer dates of birth. This is why  they have no idea whether their customers should be charged or whether they have reached the age for a free license.

 

It seems to me (especially for the benefit of old people), it would be simple to include a date of birth in the application process and therefore automatically cancel direct debits or even reject applications once they become eligible for a free license.

 

My question is, can I insist on interest? I understand statutory 8% interest is only an award if a judge  (at a county court etc) allows it. As I received the refund without going to court, I guess I cannot insist on that interest. However, I hope to proceed to make this scandal more public and seek the interest on his behalf.

 

Any ideas gratefully received.

[Its WAR]

Summons issued today for £247 calculated at 8%.

[AndyOrch]

Any chance we can see a copy of your particulars of claim ?

 

Andy

[Its WAR]

£247 judgement today against BBC in default of acknowledging the claim, based on 8% interest.

 

Claim details: 

1. I am xxxxxxxxxx   and hold Power of

Attorney for my uncle Mr xxxxxxxxx of xxxxxxxx

2. Mr xxxxxxx turned 75 on xxxxxx 2014 and was

entitled to a free TV license

3. For the following 7 years, the Defendant

continued to take money by auto renewing direct debits for

Mr xxxxxx TV license.

4. The Defendant ignored my formal demands

dated 16 July 2020 requesting a refund.

5. On 4 September 2020 I claimed the money

back under the Direct Debit Indemnity

guarantee from xxxxxxxxxx Bank.

6. Having received the refund from Mr xxxxxx

bank, I wrote to the Defendant on 14

September 2020 requesting a payment of

interest.

7. On 19 October 2020 the Defendants refused

to make any interest refund.

 

Lets see if they settle or apply to set aside.

[BankFodder]

I don't think you should hang around. I think you should put in for immediate enforcement. It will cost you 50 quid – but you might as well put the county court bailiffs in.

[Its WAR]

Update:

 

A few days after obtaining judgement by default, I receive a letter from MCOL saying the claim form had been returned to the court unserved. But they deemed it as served as long as the address was correct. If the address was correct I can proceed with the case. I decided the address was correct and have paid £77 to instruct the courts bailiffs.

 

Of course, the address might be wrong. But having checked, I can still only find the BBC is at Peel Wing and therefore nothing to suggest the address is wrong. I wonder therefore, whether I may have sued the wrong people? The claim is for interest on 7 years of license fees. Capita are the organisation that deal with the TV license..........Maybe I should have sued Capita (the people who send inspectors to your house and prosecute you if you haven't bought a license).

 

However, in that case, as the BBC were issued with the summons, I would have expected them to issue a defense stating they have been sued in error.  Anyway, for now, I expect the bailiffs will have visited by Christmas and come back with payment in full........................... Unless you guys think differently.

 

[Its WAR]

I sent in the bailiffs to the BBC. They collected £350. It made me smile.

[BankFodder]

I've sent an email to a press contact

And one to a journalist at the BBC!

[dx100uk]

[Its WAR]

Thanks BankFodder. Happy to speak to them.

 

[BankFodder]

@Its WAR please could you email your contact details to us at our admin email address. Email address and telephone number please.

There is a journalist in the national press who would be interested in talking to you.

[Manxman in exile]

Ha ha!

 

I don't have problem generally with either the BBC or the licence fee, but I definitely do think they are not as impartial or apolitical as they should be, so good on yer!

[Its WAR]

Possible story in The Sun this Sunday.

 

[parity4all]

On 25/01/2021 at 01:58, Its WAR said:

I sent in the bailiffs to the BBC. They collected £350. It made me smile.

you do realise that the BBC will now have to serve their presenters SPAM instead of sirloin steak.

 

 

[Its WAR]

Story in the Sunday Express 28/2/21. Image also shows a copy of their apology. You will see it only apologises for the delay in corresponding and ignores the substantive point regarding paying interest on the £1000. The apology reads more like a defense and they state they would have defended had the summons not gone astray. Some apology.