TV licence inquiries can still be insensitive
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https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/jul/17/tv-licence-inquiries-can-still-be-insensitive Version 0 of 3. It is not true that TV Licensing only prosecutes when all other options have been exhausted (Letters, 17 July). In the past several years since I stopped receiving a live TV signal I have had two or three letters from TV Licensing requesting a confirmation. When an inspector was sent to my house, he was friendly and courteous. My reason for ignoring the reminders is that there is no provision for replying without cost to myself or sending TV Licensing my email address. I object strongly in principle to having to pay even a small amount to confirm that I am not breaking the law, and I don’t wish to share my email address with this organisation. The last time it happened I was “threatened” with a visit from an inspector, which would have been welcome; but no inspector appeared and I then received a letter threatening prosecution. The matter was ultimately resolved after recourse to my MP. If TV Licensing provided either a freephone number or a prepaid reply envelope in such cases it would make their job easier and cheaper, and would be much fairer to blameless citizens who simply don’t want live TV.Dr Brigid PurcellNorwich • Suzy Vickers of TV Licensing may defend its inquiry officers, but it does not stop them sending letters threatening legal action. My father died in January and it took two phone calls to sort out that he no longer needed a TV licence. One call handler spent ages explaining why we could not get a refund, when we did not ask for one. We eventually got a refund. Last week I found a letter saying his address was under investigation, detailing all the punishments I was liable to. I am awaiting an apology. TV Licensing is now on my list of companies that have reacted inappropriately to our reporting the death of a relative.Keith BowdenLuton, Bedfordshire • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters Television industry Television (Television & radio) Television (Technology) letters Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Google+ Share on WhatsApp Share on Messenger Reuse this content |