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Next steps against AOL please, anyone??

11 replies

tee4two · 15/03/2009 17:00

My DP has had an internet account with AOL for over 10 years, and last year he took out a seperate account for his parents [but in his name] so that they could have the internet at their house.

From the start they experienced countless problems with logging on, actually getting a service etc, and after various lengthy phone calls AOL actually admitted that he shouldnt have been able to have two seperate accounts in the same name, so the account was cancelled.
He received a letter demanding payment of about £90 for non payment on the account, followed by more lengthy and painful phonecalls, which resulted in them waiving the charges.

Last month he received a letter from a debt collection agency threatening him with court etc unless he pays, which meant more of the same phonecalls and head banging, and he was assured that the account had been cancelled, and even though he requested a letter confirmimg this, they said, 'No need, I can positively assure you that this account has been cancelled.'

Yesterday he received another debt agency letter in the same vein, more phone calls, a LOT of shouting, and they've basically told him that the account is not cancelled and that he has no option but to pay the outstanding amount.
He is so frustrated that he says he is going to pay them, but I dont think he should.

Does anybody have any idea what his next steps should be??
I said to let them take him to court but he has no written documentation etc as proof, and he says its not worth the hassle, but its now over £120 which is more than we can afford to throw away.

Sorry its long winded and probably doesnt make a lot of sense

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
kayzr · 15/03/2009 17:04

Go to the Citzens Advice Bureau. They will tell you where you stand. If your DP has been told the account was cancelled and the charges waivered then they can't do anything I don't think.

tee4two · 15/03/2009 17:09

Ive told him this, but he's very frustrated and the CAB isnt always available, AOL are adamant etc, its very hard.

OP posts:
OldLadyKnowsNothing · 15/03/2009 17:37

Insist AoL give you written confirmation, and if they refuse go to your local newspaper, especially if they have any sort of consumer problem page. (I'm thinking of the "Judge" in the Sunday Mail, or there's the Money Advice column in the Sunday Times - a more local paper might also have one?)

As for the debt collectors, demand they show you proof that you owe this money - they almost certainly won't have it, so can't take you to court anyway, but they'll bluster on for so long that many people do give in to make them go away. Stand your ground, and tell them you'll call in Trading Standards if they keep harrassing you.

tee4two · 15/03/2009 17:47

Well AOL are denying now that the account is closed, even though its not been used since August/Sept, and they can see that, and countless customer service people have told him its cancelled.
He has just checked and its logged on, so no it isnt cancelled, but no letters have come asking where his monthly payments are, just the debt agency ones.

OP posts:
OldLadyKnowsNothing · 15/03/2009 18:36

Contact Trading Standards, and ask if they have any advice. Sometimes just a call from them (and ime they're very friendly and helpful people) can get things sorted.

Liskey · 15/03/2009 18:36

Try the CAG website www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/broadband-other-internet-issues/ - I think you can request all information they hold on you including phone transcripts

LoveBeingAMummy · 15/03/2009 21:03

How about e-mailing the chief ex directly its normally their name then the company name to [email protected]

fossa · 16/03/2009 17:43

No more advice, but I feel your pain.

Aol have reduced me to a sobbing, screaming wreck on many occasions. Insanely appalling customer service.

tee4two · 18/03/2009 23:26

Thanks all for the advice.

Following OldLady's advice I did a quick search for consumer problem page thingy's and followed a link to directgov's consumer help line. DP has rang them and they were incredibly helpful with his next steps and its been a great weight lifted from his shoulders.

I'm just glad he isnt paying the buggers without a fight!

OP posts:
tee4two · 18/03/2009 23:30

Fossa, they turned a normally mild mannered man into a shouting, headbanging, fist shaking monster this week.

If their help and information was consistent across the board it would save us all a lot of heartache.
[and phone bills]

OP posts:
OldLadyKnowsNothing · 19/03/2009 00:45

buffs fingernails with pleasure

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