TalkTalk contract breakage fees

[lulilu]

In January 2015 I was persuaded by TalkTalk to upgrade to a tv package. At the time I didn’t know this was what I agreed to I was stuck with it. I also agreed to an 18 month contract.

 

Last September I changed my address. At first I was told me I had to enter another 18 month contract. I disputed this and TalkTalk accepted that the original 18 month contract beginning January 2015 would continue with any additional contract.

In February 2016 Sky offered to refund me the contract breakage fee of £99 if I signed up to Sky broadband and landline. TalkTalk said they would calculate the exact contract fee that was I had to pay and I should not cancel the direct debit until they told me the exact charged that had to be paid. TalkTalk disconnected my landline in late February.

 

TalkTalk then took out almost £200 from my bank account because they said anyone who changes address must commence a new 18 or 24 month contract. This almost £200 was because the contract runs until March 2017.

 

I went to the bank and recovered the almost £200. I’ve cancelled the direct debit. Do you think I should recover the direct debit payments that have been paid after TalkTalk disconnected the landline.

 

Generally how do I proceed with this.

[Andyorch]

Thread moved to the appropriate forum.

 

Andy

[lulilu]

I should have said,

 

Last September I changed my address. At first I was told me I had to enter another 18 month contract. I disputed this and TalkTalk accepted that the original 18 month contract beginning January 2015 would continue WITHOUT any additional contract.

[fkofilee]

Hi Lulilu

 

Due to the nature of how Talk Talk operate, I would go down the route of a Complaint to the CEO Office

 

dido.harding@talktalkplc.com

[king12345]

Hi Lulilu

 

Due to the nature of how Talk Talk operate, I would go down the route of a Complaint to the CEO Office

 

+1

I was in your same boat and a strong complaint sorted everything.

Remind the CEO that they failed to protect your personal records and their reckless attitude towards data protection is known across the country.

This is a good enough reason to terminate the contract without early exit fees.

[lulilu]

Thanks for this. I did what you suggested and contacted Dido Harding. The matter seems to be sorted out now thanks.

 

Is it true that their lack of security is a reason to terminate the contract without paying breakage fees. TalkTalk refuse to accept this.

[lulilu]

Once again thanks for responding to my initial problem with talktalk. Since being told you suggested I could terminate the contract without breakage fees I went hunting around the internet and came up with this.

 

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-3292565/The-small-print-says-quit-TalkTalk-Hacked-telecoms-giant-refusing-let-customers-leave-without-paying-fees-ve-loophole.html

 

It seems pretty good to me and so I've taken their advice.

[Andyorch]

Marc Gander, a lawyer and founder of the campaigning Consumer Action Group, says: ‘Of course, TalkTalk is going to try to make it as hard as possible for customers to leave their contracts.

 

‘But there is a fundamental principle here: how important is the protection of personal data to a consumer contract?

 

‘You would be able to argue that it is critical, and that anyone who had not acted sufficiently to protect a customer’s data was in breach of a contract and so made it void.

 

‘That TalkTalk had already been susceptible to two hacking attacks before this third one is proof enough, I think, that they have not taken enough steps to protect their customers’ personal data.’

 

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-3292565/The-small-print-says-quit-TalkTalk-Hacked-telecoms-giant-refusing-let-customers-leave-without-paying-fees-ve-loophole.html