Hi, I cancelled my direct debit after the 12 month contract, received a swift letter from harlands stating I need to setup the Direct Debit otherwise I'll face a £25.00 administration fee. I was writing them a letter with the following (template used): I refer to your letter of 09/12/2015. My agreement with Xercise4Less was for a minimum of 12 months. The first payment was for the amount of £34.99 (joining fee + first monthly payment), dated 02/11/2014. The remaining payments were taken on the 2nd of every month up to and including 02/11/2015 with one additional monthly payment of £14.99 after the agreed minimum contract period, taken 02/12/2015. I cancelled my Direct Debit mandate on 07/12/2015 and this was adequate notice of my cancellation of the agreement, as per the case of The OFT v Ashbourne Mgt Services Ltd in 2011. I now realise I should have paid one further month's fee for the notice period and am willing to offer you £14.99 now. If you confirm in writing within 14 days that you'll accept £14.99 in full settlement of all amounts due, I will pay it promptly. If you fail to accept my offer within 14 days, or if you demand any administration or cancellation fees (unlawful penalties), my offer will be withdrawn and I may ignore further demands from you and/or CRS. Such demands may be reported to Trading Standards. Yours faithfully, However, I can't find my W-number in my email folders to add to the letter, just the reference number from the letter they sent regarding reinstating my Direct Debit. Should I just use the reference number quoted on the letter or? Additionally, what legal leverage do I hold on the situation? Thanks

Hi all, a bit more than a month ago I received a 2 year old PCN from southwark that I had completely forgotten about. I noticed the letter had no house/door number. It looked like one of the neighbours put it on the envelope in pencil and then delivered. I ignored it as I believe I don't think that it is enforcable without having officially delivered and having my full address on it? As far as I am concerned it could be someone else on the street. The post lady however knows ofcourse that it must be me and keeps dropping them with my other mail. I have received a CC a few weeks ago and finally yesterday the OFR. The first 2 letters I opened, but the OFR I have not opened. Am I right in thinking that writing undeliverable - no house number on the envelope and returning it will get me out of this, or at least they realise they cannot chance it any longer and have to enquire with the DVLA to get my full details? I don't even have the vehicle anymore, which is probably why they cannot get the details and just rely on a vague memory from a previous PCN? Any insights into address field legalities would be much appreciated as I cannot seem to find anything online about it.

Is there anything I or my phone company can possibly do to stop harassment and sometimes abusive calls ? I have logged times and dates and I have answered on a couple of occasions but can never quite understand the person talking. Now I have been receiving calls early morning and late at night. Always ask for the same person but incorrect name and when asked who I am speaking to its either Jon, Joe, Reggie, Ronnie etc and then sometimes followed by abuse if further questions asked

Should letting agencies have an emergency telephone number? This evening I found water pouring through the ceiling at the bottom of my stairs...dashed up to the bathroom to find that the toilet was overflowing and the overflow pipe had become detached(another botched job!) and the over flow was caused by the ball cock thing in the toilet had come lose....me panicking trying to stop the water flow and reattach the overflow pipe! Asked daughter to switch off the water at the stop cock....its behind a panel that needs a screw driver to get to it! Rung the letting agency up... a few mins after they shut up shop...no answer and no answer machine

Hi, I received a parking ticket some weeks ago at 13:41 under code 05 - parking after my ticket had expired. I had in fact purchased a (second) ticket at 13:40 not realising that this was a one hour no return zone. I would accept a ticket under contravention stating that I parked again in a no return zone but surely I shouldn't accept a ticket under code 05 as I had paid when the ticket was issued! Please can you give me your thoughts!

http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2016-03-03/driver-hit-with-100-fine-after-putting-a-letter-o-instead-of-number-0-in-parking-machine/ Perfectly sums up what the PPC ' industry ' is about. And it is not managing car parking spaces...

Hi, I hope someone can help me as this issue became rather frustrating for me for the last couple of days. I have been with Vodafone for 4 years (2x24 month contract) and 11th Feb 2016 was my contract end date. I have called few days before the end date to state I want to leave Vodafone to use another provider. At that point I was stupidly fooled into accepting new bundle plan for 12 months and was thinking that I got a pretty good deal with them. That was until I received the email about my new bundle. I realised that what I accepted on phone and what is on the email is very different and immediately called them to explain this and cancel the new plan as I had 14 days to cancel it. (We discussed 2 gb and email was stating I have 250 mb allowance) Live chat couldn't help me and requested me to call Vodafone. When I called, customer service told me to call next day. I called them again on next day and I have waited 1.6 hour on phone with more than dozens of transfer and what is even more frustrating that each time I have been transferred to someone I had to explain the whole thing from the beginning. After all that waste of time I have been told that offices are closed and I have to call back tomorrow. I got really frustrated as this was a common thing for them to say to shake things off. It was around 16:25pm so I told the officer that I don't believe that there is no one to talk to at that hour. She talked to some one and said that she will transfer me to her colleague and a guy picked up the phone and said that he can process things for me, then he put me on hold and after that he said he can confirm the process is done. this was his exact words. he said that new plan will be finished by midnight that day. I said i want to keep my number and need pac code and he said that they need to transfer me to another department for that and transferred me, I was in the middle of talk when I lost my service on my mobile and line cut out. After that I called vodafone from my landline to explain the situation but no one could help me as they did not recognise me or my number. This is quite hard to believe as I was their 4 year customer until 5 minutes ago! They said they have no idea where my number goes and they can't take it back that there is no way. Also at some point when I was not getting any progress with cancellation I've been told that I have to cancel my new plan first and then it would go back to my previous plan and if i want to leave vodafone then I have to cancel that too. But I've been literally chucked out with my everything on the system. I am guessing I frustrated them by insisting they should help me and when they realise I did not want to stay or buy new bundle they chuck me out completely. If I knew that I would ask for a couple of weeks beforehand like a notice period and handle everything which causes me problem now. As a result of this nightmare; I have lost my number which I use for my business contacts, banks, email accounts and almost everything in UK. Since I need a code sent to my number for accessing many things such as banks, facebook, email accounts etc. I am stuck not knowing what to do. Not to mention that I have just printed bunch of business card with my number on it a month ago! This will cause me a big destruction on my business if I can't get my number back. I even offered to buy it back but they did not help me with it. I also want to mention that this is not the first time Vodafone messed with my life. Last year they have charged me 649 gbp and cancel my contract accidentally (?!) and they did not pay me back, I had to request money from my bank saying that it has been taken illegally. During that 11 days I have lost business time, could not do any bank transaction as it requires code and been stressful every day of it. They were only able to activate it again 2 weeks later. I just want this fixed please. I am applying for indefinite leave to remain here and I have supplied my business number to home office, I do not want to keep changing my details as it does not look professional at all. This may interfere with my application if they call and realise the number is not recognised.. If this wouldn't get resolved soon they would leave me no chance but to sue as I want to claim my business damage with interruptions to bank transfers and preventing communication. does anyone know what should be my next step regarding this matter?

I have seen the following issue on a couple of occasions, particularly EE but I think it may be common. When you leave a company, you commonly need to give 30 days notice provided you are not in a longer agreement. If you want to take your number with you, you commonly request a PAC code, which is only valid for 30 days, effectively is the start of your notice, and you leave when the PAC code is actioned by your new provider. On two occasions now with EE, relatives have decided to leave, informed them and got the PAC code to transfer their number. They have always ensured that the PAC code is actioned after they have paid another months service amount - to ensure the 30 days is covered. On both occasions, EE have refunded an amount left relating to the unused days of the 30 day advance payment taken by DD - even though this was not requested or expected - BUT then charged them a larger fee for giving less than 30 days notice. In addition to everything else, if not spotted, and you have cancelled the DD with them, then you could end up with them chasing you for unpaid debts. My other half is about to leave EE/Orange and we will watch it very carefully They have already credited her with £10 (after complaint) for failures in service related to this.

Hi, I've been having a tortuous time with Vodafone the last few months, it initially started at the tail end of November, when my phone inexplicably had no signal, reboots the lot, no luck. After 3 phone calls to Vodafone it was finally established a cancellation request was made by me (?!?!?! most certainly wasn't!), for the phone number. It took a further 2 weeks of constant phone calls before I eventually got onto someone who appeared to know what they were doing, and 24 hours later the phone was working again. HOWEVER, it has yet again happened, on the 21st of this month. The number was yet again deactivated, and my phone is now unusable once again. And has been for the last week, in total I've had 3 weeks without service. I really cannot continue with this level of service unreliability, as I've had to buy Skype credit (so the issue is now is financially damaging) to make phone calls. I'm at a bit of a loss what to do, when I call up, I've gotten to the point where I know the customer services advisor im talking to has absolutely no clue what is going on, and is effectively passing the buck when saying it will be active within 2 or 3 days. I'm now saying, look I know you have no idea what to do, can you pass me onto someone who does. Even the next person i'm passed onto is clueless! I'm rather at the end of my tether, and ideally if i can terminate the contract and move onto someone else who can actually provide a reliable service i'm quite happy to do that. But suspect that Vodafone would moan and threaten the early termination charge even though as far as I am aware, the contract is currently being breached by themselves. They specifically state a reasonable time period within the contract, although this really does not give any indication, I would think when I am told by a customer services advisor (have recorded phone call), that it will be 2 days (or the 10's of other occasions where different time frames have been given), that this is the reasonable time period. So in a nut shell, I have a dead phone, with no resolution on the horizon as I've been unable to get to the chaps who know what they are doing. I'm really not quite sure where to go from here! Any advice would be most appreciated! Thanks!

I'm looking for a UK contact number for Hotmail. The phone numbers that come up on searches are 3rd party numbers. Thanks

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help. I have a business account with Vodafone and we have recently tried to move two numbers over to two different contracts that have longer expiry dates. We were initially told this couldn't be done, so decided we would probably get the PAC codes and move the numbers to a different network. Obviously in the process of trying to get the PAC codes we got through to the retention team and they immediately said that they could transfer the contracts without a problem. They told us that all that would happen is that the numbers would be moved to PAYG and then moved onto the new contracts. Within minutes of this conversation, the two numbers lost signal and appeared to be disconnected. On phoning VF back we were then told it may take up to 24 hours to restore the number. 24 hours later and we were told a different story and that it would take a further 24 hours to restore the numbers. Another 24 hours passed and we have were then passed around various departments with no further progress. Yesterday we were told everything would be back up and running within 6 hours... still nothing. Today, at long last one of the numbers has been restored, unfortunately my number hasn't and I'm now being told it could take up to 30 DAYS to 'find' my number. I am failing to understand how a number can be lost in the first place, let alone go missing for 30 days. This is business and personal number (which I have had personally for over 10 years) and I am missing important calls from clients and potential customers, not to mention family and friends. Any help would be appreciated I am not getting anywhere with call centres. I have sent a request to the web team based on instructions in the forum. Thanks, Richard

While insured with Tesco motor insurance, we've had 2 bumps. Both times, within months of the accidents, we've had accident and injury claim companies telephoning us on our unlisted landline number asking if we want to make an injury claim. Both times they knew every detail of the accident and our full names, address and all contact details. Do insurance companies have the right to pass on our private information to other companies, and if not, do we have a claim against them?

hello I was given a parking ticket from a company called TESGB 2 weeks ago, the fine was issued to the wrong number plate (confused x by k). In the first place the fine was unfair as i parked my car at the bank's car park and before taking my child to the toilet (there were no toilet facilites onsite) nobody made me aware that i could not leave the premises but even then there has to be an exception to the rule as the bank does not provide facilites. My husband suggested i should write to them to clarify the issue and informed them that PCN was invalid, then i received an email advisiing me that they were going to re-issue the PCN to the correct car and I have now received a letter informing me that my appeal has been rejected and that i have to pay. could anyone kindly provide advice on this?

Dear all, Last week I took the DLR but forgot to scan in, at that time I didn't get any penalty notice for but I have been told to take my notice tomorrow. At that time, my student oyster card was scanned by the officer's card reader. Now it has been one week so where can I get the notice and how can i check whether I need to pay? Thanks in advance

Hi, Apologies I am sure this has been covered before but I couldn't find one exactly the same:- I parked my car at NCP Cardiff Central Station, I parked correctly in a space, I paid £9.30 for 1 day and I paid for the correct vehicle registration number online and I have a receipt. When I returned to the car there was a little yellow package waiting for me, the Parking Charge Notice (PCN) states that registration number *X** *** was Code B3 parked without clearly displaying the required valid pay and display ticket and no other cashless parking payments detected. My registration number is *K** ***, the photo's they have taken are of my car with the correct registration number. I have a couple of questions:- I assume that the PCN is not valid because the reg is wrong is this correct? Should I do anything now or wait and see if I get a NTK? They cannot trace me through the reg on the PCN but they can through the pictures. should I challenge now? Basically any advise or experience you have would be appreciated. AS

Don't know if we are allowed to mention names here, but here goes anyway. Interested to know if a letting agent can legally switch energy suppliers on a house up for rent without notifying or seeking authorisation from the Landlord/owner? Discovered that Countrywide 'sold' the contract to E.on, (who incidentally have a whole department dedicated to that company). Countrywide get a fee (although E.on would not say how much this was) and E.on get a new customer (we know how apathetic most people are on changing their suppliers) on any tariff they choose to set. E.on said they took the contract on in good faith (ie. that is on the understanding that the Landlord had agreed). Clearly no checks and balances on E.on's part, but then scruples are always thin on the ground when money is one the table.

Hi, I'm trying to find out the service provider of a telephone number. I have had this number for a contact in animal rescue for years and not been in touch for a long while, now I need to get in touch, the number is a problem. The number rings for ages then a female voice tells me "sorry there is a fault, please try again" so I do, and get the same message. I am ringing from my landline as I have no coverage in my home. I tried to report the fault to BT, but when they found it wasn't one of their numbers, their suggestion was to ask the person (the same one I am trying to contact by phone) just who is their service provider. The number used to be a BT number. BT tell me that the account was closed. So, is there any way of finding out who provides this number now, so that I can report the fault and hopefully, finally get through? I have no email address or mobile numbers for this person, so other than a long drive into the city to visit, I am a bit stuck. I am hoping that the number is the same and the person just kept the number when they switched service providers. Thank you for any advice you can give.

I was given a phone by a friend, Virgin model no VM 575 I cannot locate the number. I have been into the settings but without success. I rang Virgin who we're unable to help me as the phone is registered in her name.

does the 17 digit payment reference for a ltd companies corporation tax change year on year? got last years payment reference but not current year, wondering if anyone knows if it alters or not

Getting around 4 calls on my mobile a day from 028 8775 7808 This is a Dungannon NI number when I do manage to answer, cuts off. Nothing on Google of any consequence or information, I suspect its a sc*M call but anyone recognise please?

I have recently been offered a job with a well-known company, but I cannot start induction with them until I provide proof of my national insurance number. They say that ONLY the following count as acceptable proof: P45 P46 Former payslip Letter from HMRC As I have not had any previous contractual jobs, I have no P45 or P46. However, I DO have a former payslip as well as a letter from HMRC. But the problem is that the National Insurance number on them is only a temporary one, so I cannot use them as proof of my permanent National Insurance number. So this leads me onto my first question: why do people keep giving me temporary national insurance numbers despite them knowing my permanent one?? I tried to solve this by using HMRC form CA5403 (a request of National Insurance number confirmation) and sending it to HMRC using a first class stamp. However, reading up on the internet I have read many horror stories of HMRC taking months to get back by post. So this leads me onto my second question: how long does HMRC take to get back to NI number confirmation requests? I cannot start work until I get a letter from them so they are kinda holding my employment prospect in the balance. Needless to say, I am slightly p*ssed off with it all. I would be immensely grateful if anyone could answer my questions, thanks in advance!

Can someone give me the correct telephone number for stratford where they make all the decisions for all job centres ? I am having problems with MY job centre and need to speak to Stratford diectly. Thanks

Hi, are there any stats on how many ET and EAT claims that the Tribunal service deal with on a yearly basis. Obviously the numbers dropped once fees were introduced - but it would be interesting to see what the volume of claims settled down at since that time. Regards, SL

I moved into my house several months ago and I changed gas supplier from NPower to First Utility as soon as I arrived. The bills from First Utility showed a different meter point reference number (and a different meter serial number) than the previous bills from NPower. After the first few meter readings I gave online to First Utility, they started refusing the readings. I phoned them and they said they did not supply me. I called the Xoserve helpline who told me I have two meter point reference numbers listed for the property and one of them is likely obsolete. When First Utility took over, they recorded the wrong MPRN (I know because NPower's MPRN does indeed correlate to the meter serial number written on my meter). My question is - what is the chain of events. How can First Utility start billing me and then stop (they've refunded the money now). How does their system allow them to accept an obsolete MPRN and then what triggers their systems to belatedly recognise that and stop billing me? NPower continued to bill me because "their" MPRN had not been officially taken over. A question for someone in the industry, I guess.

Hello Anyone know the answer?