Ministry of Propaganda - 14/Nov/2004: "OFFICIAL WARNING"
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OFFICIAL WARNING
Before I start with the "real" entry I'd like to clarify something: Someone asked me recently why I'm not publishing my comments on www.tvlicensing.biz, a site of campaigners against the TV Licence. While I've been on that site (among others) to learn more about TV Licensing I'm not against the TV licence per se. I'm only annoyed with the way it is enforced by Capita (who have a broken website). Which takes me back to my "real" topic:
Now that they somehow managed to find out my name my good old friends from TV Licensing have sent me another letter. And they are getting serious now. Or at least try to.
OFFICIAL WARNING - THIS PROPERTY IS UNLICENSED
Aha. Is that dangerous? Or why do I get an official warning? Should I be worried? AND WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING?
You are hereby notified that we have authorised officers from our Enforcement Division to visit your home and interview you under caution,
wow, officers. Enforcement Division. Are they big and muscular? Really threatening? And they will come here? Now I'm shaking in my boots... as our records show there is still no TV Licence at this address
yes, and? Your point being? Should there be one? and as yet we have no received no response to previous communications from you.
Now that's too bad. May be you should start reading weblogs. May be then you'll understand why...
Your statement will be taken in compliance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
I'm impressed, does that mean I "have the right to remain silent" and all that or did I watch too many bad movies when I was younger? and is the first step in our action to prosecute
whoops? Prosecute? That sounds serious! if we find evidence that you watch or record television without a valid licence.
Ah, slight problem here: I do neither. So no prosecution. What now?
I feel it is my duty to inform you that if found guilty,
I feel it is my duty to inform you that this is a very big if, you could receive a maximum fine of £1000,
you could be forced to write a very humble apology for sending me all these threatening letters wrongfully accusing me of licence evasion and your name will be added to our National Enforcement Database
and you could be forced to remove my name from your database as I have my doubts that it should be there under the Data Protection Act.
To avoid an appearance in court before a magistrate I would strongly advise you to call 0870 240 3210 or buy a TV Licence online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk
Hm, that's assuming I do need one. I thought we had established by now that I don't have a TV (or TV recording equipment) and therefore don't need one?
I think that's enough from that stupid letter. I'm sure the series will be continued. May be next time with a report from my interview under caution? While I'm very annoyed with these letters I'm beginning to enjoy writing about this perfect example of how not to deal with your customers. And non-customers.
End of entry
Entry trivia
- When writing this entry the weather was: Partly cloudy, warmer than yesterday
- When writing this entry I was listening to: BBC Radio, various stations
- I'm currently reading/have just finished reading this book/publication: The Independent on Sunday
- I recently visited this website/-page: Das E-Business Weblog
- The last drink I had was/is: Arran Blonde
End of entry trivia
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