Is this a scam?
 

Hi there

Just wondered if anyone had come across this one, we suspect a scam... In June we got a letter from <<snip>> Ltd asking fro a £50 maintenance fee for our Sky TV. We have in the past paid a Sky subscription but for more than a year have just had the "free-to-air" channels.
We were immediately suspicious because we hadn't heard of the firm, we used a different one to set up originally and the letter came from the North of England when the installation company are based in the South.

So I scanned the letter and sent it to the local Trading Standards office, who hadn't heard of the company and also thought it suspicious.

I heard nothing more until today when a chap rang and asked if I was going to pay, I told him no, I have sent your letter to the TS office as I suspect a scam, when he said OK then I will cancel your contract.

I am fairly sure I have done the right thing but wondered if anyone else had any similar experience?

Re: Is this a scam?
 

I would say you did the right thing but being in OZ I haven't heard of this one

Re: Is this a scam?
 

Probably scammers.
If you dont have a contract for a Skypack then you have no worries, we had a contract cancelled years ago and still get our free stuff. ;-))

Re: Is this a scam?
 

Hi jdr

Thanks for that, I thought I was right but if we lost Sky my husband and kids would never forgive me!! In any case I really don't see what I should be paying for - they indicate "maintenance" whatever that is. What annoys me more than anything is the cheek of it! When the letter came originally the envelope was handwritten and had 2 x 1st class stamps on, if they were a proper company they would be probably typed and with the correct postage on, so I immediately smelled a rat!:sneaky:

Just hate this type of thing and don't want these people to succeed. Where did they get our address and phone number?

Re: Is this a scam?
 

There are instances in Spain of people who have taken SKY cards over here from sat suppliers that have had maintenance fees deducted from their account on an annual basis.

Re: Is this a scam?
 

Hi L'Acajou.....just out of interest and because my OH and son will have to have Sky do you mind me asking what it costs ?

Thanks
Kate

Re: Is this a scam?
 

Hi Kate

We don't pay anything for Sky, we have a card and can get only a limited number of channels, BBC1,2,3 &4, ITV1,2,3&4, Channels 4 & 5, plus a few others. We got Sky through a UK company, there are a few who do it, Can't remember how much we paid, but they sent the decoder via the post, then we had a local firm set it up, adjust the existing dish, etc. I don't thik it cost a fortune, but you know what these men are like, doesn't matter about the cost, it is a necessity!

We started out with the whole Sky package, the monthly fee came out of a UK account but I don't think it is essential for it to be a UK account. After a while we stopped the sub as we just have too many other things to do than watch TV! We now just have the card and so limited channels, and so far so good. I think that is what these scammers try to exploit, fear of losing the SKy TV! It is legally a grey area as to if ex-pats can receive it, so they think we won't complain and just pay up.

Can't remember the name of the firm we used but I will try to find it if it helps. I found them via the internet.

Re: Is this a scam?
 

Thanks for the info ..I will try to find out a bit more When I'm over in September......but I completely understand the males in my house must have sport on TV particularily the Cricket for one and the Soccer for the other The girls of the house would rather go shopping !!!

Re: Is this a scam?
 

Hi Kate As far as I know you cannot legally get a Sky package unless you have a UK address. There are ways and means but all are a fiddle

Re: Is this a scam?
 

Thanks Jorgi ........I will have to investigate further ....some things like the Australian football they can download via the internet but others will have to come via pay tv. I'm sure all will work out .....I was curious as to the cost as pay tv here in oz costs us about $70 aus per month.


cheers

Kate

Re: Is this a scam?
 

Hi

Try englishtvandradio.com which is the company we used. The Trading Standards office have promised to get back to me regarding the company wanting £50. Incidentally the letter asked for a cheque or bank details which according to Trading Standards is a bad sign!

Re: Is this a scam?
 

You cant legally get SKY TV even if you have a UK address if you are receiving it abroad. By keeping a UK address and having the funds taken from a UK ban account it makes SKY think you are still residing and receiving in the UK. If they discover for instance that you are in Spain, they will cut you off immediately. I assume its the same in France, as SKY dont have a licence to broadcast here.

Re: Is this a scam?
 

Thanks everyone ....I guess I will have to see what is available legally in France as it will be a little difficult for us to have a UK address ;)

Cheers Kate

Re: Is this a scam?
 

But if its like Spain Kate, there are plenty of people who will supply you with a SKY card without a UK address. You just need to read the small print and make sure there are no maintenance charges

Re: Is this a scam?
 

Hi thanks Mitzy .......my list of things to suss out in september just got longer :D