I'm not a BT customer so why are they taking large sums from my bank account by direct debit?

[realcoolchris]

Until the end of 2017, I had an account with BT group plc for broadband and phone.  My account with BT group plc was cancelled & I no longer have any contract with them.

However, BT keep taking money from my account via direct debit - £80.72 in 2020 & £161.59 in 2021.  I have asked my bank to reverse the charges for these two years and they have done so.

But now BT have reinstated a DD, with no reference to me, and so far in 2023 have taken 4no. DDs totalling £506.37. including £358.00 today which has left my bank account in a very poor situation.

This seems to be fraud.  How do I stop them doing this?

[Keith_Beddoe]

@realcoolchris 

This is just a customer to customer help forum, everyone here, including myself, are just customers.

The only BT Employees are the forum moderators.

Try calling 0330 1234 150

I assume you were a residential customer and not a BT Business customer?

[realcoolchris]

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, I was a domestic customer: i left and went to Virgin.

I hadn't realised that this was a customer only forum.  OTOH it might be of interest to consumers to see what can happen once you've closed your account.

Thanks for the phone number: I've already tried it and can't find anyone will talk to someone who doesn't have a BT account.

Regards

[licquorice]

But you must have an account for them to be taking the money.

[Keith_Beddoe]

Unless you actually rang up and cancelled your BT broadband account, it would have continued as a monthly rolling contract, as Virgin would not have told BT you were moving to them, as they have their own network.

Look on your bank statements and it should show the BT account reference. You can then ring BT with those details, and cancel your BT account.

[imjolly]

is there not an account reference on the DD entry

[PlanetVisitor]

You cancelled in 2017 and this is still going on!  I would have thought it more urgent that you have a little talk with your bank.

Make it clear, (& back it up in writing), that you have not authorised any new BT direct debits and you will not be authorising any in the future.  Any that are presented are fraudulent and should not be honoured.  Also make it clear that any and all existing direct debits in favour of BT are cancelled with immediate effective.  And lastly point out that if the bank fails to follow these instructions, not only will you hold them responsible for any losses but you will also transfer your money to a more secure bank and close all accounts you have with them.

If these are genuine, (and it doesn’t sound like it to me), BT will soon be in touch with you to sort out what is going on.

[NeilO]

Hi @realcoolchris This is a strange one, I'll send you a private message so you can get in touch with the moderation team and we'll be happy to help.

Thanks

Neil 

[wkirkman]

It's taken 6 years to notice large sums of money disappearing from your bank account. I applaud anyone who has enough to not notice it going missing for 6 years!