SLAMMED BY SKY!

The Ombudsman
Otelo
PO Box 730
Warrington
WA4 6WU

8th November 2009


Dear Sirs

COMPLAINT AGAINS SKY TALK

In August I discovered that Sky had been Direct Debiting my account for the previous four months for very large sums, namely: August £104.23; July £100.67; June £97.21; May £104.25.

From January 2007, when I signed on to Sky Broadband and Sky TV, until May 2009, Direct Debits from my account to Sky varied between £30 and £36 (although in April it was £40). I assumed the discrepancy was due to the length of the months.

I have NEVER AGREED FOR MY TELEPHONE SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED BY SKY yet they maintain I did so in January 2007. However, BT agree with me that the switch took place in May of this year. Neither Sky nor BT informed me of the switch which took place without my knowledge or consent.

As a consequence I continued to pay legitimately for BT Anytime (for which itemised bills are not provided) as well as (unbeknownst to me) Sky, which removed funds from my account without my knowledge or agreement.

I understand that this is referred to as SLAMMING and I maintain that they have taken approximately £271.36 from my account without my consent or knowledge as well as causing me an enormous amount of time and aggravation, numerous phone calls which have resulted in an impasse and numerous letters and photocopies to both Sky and BT as well as to my MP, OfCom, Moneybox Live and now Otelo. I am seeking recompense of at least £300 as communications with BT and SKY have taken place during the working week (I am a freelance consultant) biting into chargeable time.

Attached are copies of my correspondence together with the relevant bank statement.

SKY still fail to communicate ...

Below is an e mail sent to Sky on Friday November 6th following a further phone call to them in which I was told to send a message via their website. However, the Submit button did not work which entailed a further phone call to them and the e mail below. I was assured the message would be passed on immediately. I have heard nothing since. However, I have heard from Ofcom and they do not deal with personal complaints. It seems a further letter is required, this time to Otelo:
e mail of 6th November ...
I have an ongoing complaint of which you have details on your system, after SkyTalk made themselves my phoneline provider (0208 ??? ????) without my knowledge. I have written to Ofcom and I am aware that they have contacted you about the issue. Since then a representative from your company (Rory) has attempted to contact me; one answerphone message on 28/10 and one call on 30/10 and when he stated he would call back as I was out at the time but this call never materialised. Obviously I am keen to resolve the matter therefore I need to speak to someone from your company but there has been no contact since the the 30th of October. Today I spoke your complaints department once again, where I was advised by Albina (CS5AB) to send an email in order to be contacted as this would be the most efficient way of dealing with the complaint. I must stress that this is not at all efficient for myself but I am of course still waiting to hear back from a representative. If I do not receive contact soon I will be forced to take my complaint to Otelo. I can be contacted on