Ofcom# launches second TalkTalk probe
Tuesday, November 23
TalkTalk, the UK's second-largest broadband provider, is facing a fresh investigation by Ofcom into claims that it switched customers to its services without their consent.
Earlier# in the month, the media watchdog ruled that TalkTalk and its Tiscali division had breached regulations by charging customers for services that had been cancelled.
Ofcom yesterday launched a further investigation into the TalkTalk Group, after complaints from the public that it mis-sold fixed-line telephony services and signed up some internet subscribers without their consent.
Should TalkTalk be found to have breached telecoms regulations, Ofcom has the power to impose a financial penalty of up to 10% of its relevant turnover.
The telecoms firm said that it was co-operating fully with Ofcom's latest investigation, adding: "We continually review our sales processes and take any potential issues of mis-selling extremely seriously."
More than 1,#000 complaints have been submitted to Ofcom this year alone about the TalkTalk Group, mostly in regards to the company's alleged charging for services that customers never actually received.
One consumer complained to Ofcom that she had cancelled her account with Tiscali UK in February 2006 but was pursued by debt collectors for the cancelled services. The company's records showed that the woman paid £609.97 for services she never received.
Another# consumer switched her landline from Talk#Talk to another provider in January this year, but continued to receive bills totalling £109.77 for the cancelled #service.
Ofcom# has ordered Talk#Talk and Tiscali# to take firm action to remedy the situation by December 2 or face enforcement action, potentially including a major financial penalty#.
Tuesday, November 23
TalkTalk, the UK's second-largest broadband provider, is facing a fresh investigation by Ofcom into claims that it switched customers to its services without their consent.
Earlier# in the month, the media watchdog ruled that TalkTalk and its Tiscali division had breached regulations by charging customers for services that had been cancelled.
Ofcom yesterday launched a further investigation into the TalkTalk Group, after complaints from the public that it mis-sold fixed-line telephony services and signed up some internet subscribers without their consent.
Should TalkTalk be found to have breached telecoms regulations, Ofcom has the power to impose a financial penalty of up to 10% of its relevant turnover.
The telecoms firm said that it was co-operating fully with Ofcom's latest investigation, adding: "We continually review our sales processes and take any potential issues of mis-selling extremely seriously."
More than 1,#000 complaints have been submitted to Ofcom this year alone about the TalkTalk Group, mostly in regards to the company's alleged charging for services that customers never actually received.
One consumer complained to Ofcom that she had cancelled her account with Tiscali UK in February 2006 but was pursued by debt collectors for the cancelled services. The company's records showed that the woman paid £609.97 for services she never received.
Another# consumer switched her landline from Talk#Talk to another provider in January this year, but continued to receive bills totalling £109.77 for the cancelled #service.
Ofcom# has ordered Talk#Talk and Tiscali# to take firm action to remedy the situation by December 2 or face enforcement action, potentially including a major financial penalty#.