Is This Normal Behaviour From Tv Licensing?

[rebelboy]

I cancelled my DD with them two days ago and today I received a snotty email asking me to set up another DD straight away or risk having my licence revoked, and my details given to a Debt Collection agency.
My licence does not run out until Jan. 31st 2022.
Is this how they go about their business?

[rebelboy]

Its not a monthly DD Judge. The full amount was taken in January 2021. Im covered until end of Jan. 2022.

[sherrardk]

How do the TV people know you’ve cancelled your DD if they’re not due to get another payment untlmJan 2022?

[rebelboy]

Don't know. It was cancelled at my bank on Monday and today I received their email.

[bobbinwales]

Not sure why cancelled the DD this early but if your right that your covered to Jan 2022 then theres nothing to worry about. Maybe there just warning you it will expire at some point

[New Judge]

//I am fully paid up until Jan 31st 2022 via a DD in Jan. This year for the full amount.//

Sorry, rebelboy, I assumed you were paying by monthly DD. I thought that because, as above, I couldn't see why you had cancelled your DD if it was not due for another six months. Glad you cleared that up, sorry for the confusion.

As far as watching catch up TV goes, the law is quite clear:

The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:

-Watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel

-Watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)

-Download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer.

[rebelboy]

Bobbinwales. I phoned them last year and cancelled the DD but they ignored it and took the full amount. I'M of an age where I have to do things when I remember to do them otherwise I forget. I had to go to the bank on Monday and I thought now is the time to do it. And its done, and won't be resurrected!

[10ClarionSt]

TV Licencing can be a pain in the armpit. A couple of years ago, I was one day late in paying. OK, it was a day late but they pursued me for 6 weeks and threatened me with prosecution, despite proof that I had paid. In the end, they blamed me because they said I hadn't read the numbers off my card clearly enough on the auto payment line. I pointed out that the fee had left my account, into the TV Licencing account, the day after. 6 weeks of stubbornness and arrogance.

[rebelboy]

Judge. I won't be watching or recording any live TV. I will use the catch up system via Virgin. This allows me to watch everything at a later date except any BBC programmes. Well, that is my intention anyway. If I relapse I shall renew my licence. Hopefully I will keep to my word as I have had it with the BBC. So it's a principle. Thank you for your advice.

[Mozz71]

The question I have is what is the debt collection agency going to do? If you don't own any money, what debt are they going to collect? Admin costs?

[rebelboy]

Who knows Mozz. I have a hard copy of my licence so I know I'm covered. Maybe it's a standard email they send out to folk who cancel.

[bobbinwales]

Am not a fan of the TV licence but dave50 is suggesting you break the law. It's like saying walk out of a shop without paying

[bobbinwales]

Sounds like a standard email that wont apply to you rebel apart from the warning you won't be covered at some point. Of course it may not have been fron tvl. Could of just been a scam email that coincided with you cancelling

[dannyk13]

NJ ////It's illegal to watch catch-up without a licence isn't it?//
No. it isn't.I cancelled my TV licenIt is legal to ce months ago.It is legal to watch tv by means of catch-up and on demand for all programmes other than BBC programmes, and you cannot watch any live programmes.

[New Judge]

Yes you're right, Danny. I misinterpreted both the OP's remarks and the legislation. The only exception is BBC I-Player. Thanks for the correction.

[barry1010]

Are you sure it is not a scam email?

[youngmafbog]

If you are going to cancel your licence then they provide a means for you to register that you no longer watch live tv.

See here. down the bottom. Download the pdf and fill it in. for the reason simply state 'I no longer watch live television' Dont go writing long convoluted sentences.

They will (hopefully) write back to you confirming it and telling you to do it again in two years time. I have done this and so have others I know and no one has had a visit, probably because so many are fed up spnsoring the left wing BBC and stopping it. I suspect they select a sample to visit but if they do just state, at the door, I do not watch Live TV. Do not engage in any other conversation with the person and close the door. They are not entitled to enter your premises without a warrant and a copper present.

Welcome to the Rebels!

[youngmafbog]

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/telling-us-you-dont-need-a-tv-licence

[rebelboy]

No, it wasn't a scam email. Thank you all for some great advice.

[douglas9401]

Raises clenched fist and shouts 'fight the power'.

Coming up in part three...