UK TV licensing
I bought a set top box at Christmas. The shop (Argos) wanted my name, address and postcode to pass to the TV licensing authorities.
Initially, I refused. I have a TV licence, I believe the TV licence is the least bad way to fund the BBC. Out of principle, though, I don’t see why Capita – the private firm that runs TV Licensing – or Argos should be able to demand my details for buying a piece of entertainment equipment.
In a rush, and with a hundred other Chrismas-related things to do, I gave my address and forgot about it.
Today, I received a warning from Capita/TV Licensing. They tell me when and where I bought the “television receiving equipment” and that, unless I ring to tell them that I already have a licence, their enforcement officers will visit me.
In the UK, each address at which TV receiving equipment is used must have a TV licence. Ours is in my wife’s name. Capita appear to check their retailer-provided information on both the name and address, so haven’t found that we are actually licensed.
The tone of the letter is threatening whilst, somehow, managing to weave out of accusing me directly. They tell me it’s illegal to watch or record TV without a licence. They say that, if I need to, I should buy a licence.
Why are they being so vague, when all they need to do is check their database? They even want me to phone them (on an 0870 number) to say that this address is already licensed.
I want to be awkward. If they can’t use their own database properly, yet still want to threaten me with fines and court appearances, I want to put them to the trouble of sending their heavies over, so I can show them our licence. I’ve done nothing wrong.
My initial thoughts are: Bring on the heavies, I believe that it’s their responsibility to check your details against the db.
On the other hand: they probably want to send out the heavies so that they can charge someone for doing so. Most likely these charges will eventually result in an increased license fee…?
So: Maybe it would be better to ask them to check their db against your address, and drop a line to ofcom detailing your experience…?
Either way… it sucks.
While I was at uni, with my address changing each year, I never failed to get threatening letters from Capita despite always having a TV license. Last year they went further with multiple threatening letters and then telling me that they were going to visit – they didn’t. Shame really; it would have been nice to wave my license in their face and tell them what I think of their enforcement efforts.
At Uni, they used to send threatening letters to the toilets on our corridor. Every room had a number, you see. We replied on their behalf of course, using Mr. A. Shanks as the nom de plume.
Sadly this tactic of taking name and addresses has been happening for years. At least 6 years ago I bought a VCR when the TV license was in my partner’s name and got a similarly snotty letter. I don’t think we bothered to grace it with a reply.
What is most irritating is the implied assumption of guilty until proven innocent.
They ( or the respective agents at that time ) did the same with us when we got Sky , we just ignored the letters. Nothing happened no one appeared and the letters stopped and we moved house.
I’ve had several of these notices too… but I never bother replying as I’ve got a license and if they really wanted to do so they could check. Even if you buy a tv card at PC World they do it. So annoying, and a lot of the time if you’re paying with card your name/address is automatically taken which I think is even worse.
There’s a whole collection of TV licencing letters at this site
http://www.bbctvlicence.com
Other interesting info as well
bbctvlicence.com chronicles someone’s attempt to evade paying the licence. I’m happy to pay the licence and I do.
I just think it’s a waste of resources, and beyond the remit of a private firm, for Capita to send me threatening letters when I already have a licence. All they need to do is check their database.
Matt, if they come calling at your door, don’t confirm anything they say (including whether or not you have a TV, or a TV licence), don’t supply any information, and absolutely don’t let them in. They have no warrant of entry and you do not have to let them past your front door. If they try and barge their way in, they’re breaking the law and you can sue the living crap out of them
I got a threatening letter whilst in student halls saying that they would come round to pay me a visit. I didn’t even own a tv (or related equipment). They never came.
I was told that I can no longer renew my TV licence at the local post office, which took 5 minutes. I could pay at a PayPoint (where is that) but was encouraged to pay online by direct debit. Several days later, I had an email reply, promising to send me another email within 3 working days, to confirm and inform me how to get my licence. Emails to the capita help address, with my ref no as required, result only in automated replies with yet more ref nos! Capita is Crapita. Sue me please for that comment.
I receive a threatening letter from TV Licensing every month. In February I put 13 of these in an envelope with a covering letter saying I have a TV license and please take me off your mailing list .I hoped this would put an end to this unwanted attention, but no. This morning bang on shedule another threat has arrived. My theory is that they are targeting the elderly, waiting for dementia to set in, at which point I will send the license fee each time a reminder comes and their profits will benefit accordingly.Of course it could be that Crapita are simply incompetent.
Quote >>>bbctvlicence.com chronicles someone?s attempt to evade paying the licence. I?m happy to pay the licence and I do.
The police do not write to me nor yet threaten visits because I am not registered with a shotgun license. The Environmental agency do not send threatening letters because I am not registered as having a fishing rod licence. No licensing authority apart from TV asumes that you are breaking the law. I am not prepared to write to them to tell them that Ido not possess a television because I don’t think that I am obliged to tell every licensing authority that I don’t have that which is licenced. Capita assume that everybody has a television and therefore anyone not matched on their database is a criminal. I am currently investigating the laws regarding threatening letters and harassment.