What you have told us about how the company operates

In August 1999, I took out a contract with Singlepoint for a mobile phone. In August 2000 I was cold-called and asked if I wanted a new phone, I enquired of the cost and was told it was £2.50 but I could cancel by giving a month's notice at any time. At no point was I told that I was entering a new 12 month contract.

In December 2000 I purchased a phone direct with the Orange network and wrote to Singlepoint to cancel my contract. I faxed and posted the letter but heard nothing for several weeks. I wrote again and received a reply saying I couldn't cancel unless I paid up to the end of August 2001.

I refused to do this and entered a postal and telephone argument during which I was told that I didn't legally need to be told that I was entering a new contract. I refused to pay the bills - eventually they called in a debt collection agency. I refused to pay this as this was not a debt.

Eventually I was blacklisted and my own bank refused a loan application due to an issue in my credit record. I have now paid the monies but feel incredibly angry that companies can act in this way. I always now advise people to stay clear of Singlepoint.

Martin Thomason

In May someone opened three mobile phone accounts using my name and address fraudulently. When bills started arriving I contacted all three companies. Orange and BT believed me and that was the end of the matter.

I am still trying to convince Singlepoint of my innocence. I have kept a record of all my calls and letters and when I do manage to speak to someone they assure me that is the end of the matter. However, I have a letter from a debt collector and two letters from their solicitors threatening me with court action and credit black listing.

It is serious harrassment. I have recently sent a second letter to their solicitors recorded delivery because they claimed they had not received the first. I still do not know how the fraud could have happened because I have not lost anything or had any documents stolen.

Richard Hopkins



I had my phone stolen last July 9. I immediately rang and had it barred. While on the line I asked to close my account rather than purchase a new phone from them.

I was asked to confirm this in writing, which I did the same day. I also rang my bank that day to cancel my direct debit as my last payment had gone through and their operator told me I could pay the few days outstanding by cheque when the final bill was sent.

One month later I was billed as usual. I rang them, to be told no letter has been received. I sent a fax to cancel the contract, stating that my account was closed on July 9. I received a letter demanding payment and stating that a £25 non-payment administration fee would be added to my account.

I wrote a letter to complain. No reply. Another bill arrived - still charging me line rental. I rang them again to be told that my account would close 30 days after the receipt of my fax. Another letter from them demanded payment.

The only way to get them off my back was to pay the full outstanding amount. I ended up paying two months' line rental more than I should have, plus the £25 fee.

All this despite them knowing that my phone had been stolen. None of my letters were ever replied to or acknowledged.

Philip Brown

I was subjected to an extremely unpleasant experience by Singlepoint earlier this year. I terminated my contract with the company, and told them in writing and by telephone, giving the required month's notice. I also arranged to pay my final account by cheque and cancelled my direct debit.

Having done this, and having paid the account, I soon received the first of a series of bills demanding an administrative charge for cancelling the direct debit before the last payment was made, even though the bill had been settled in full as agreed.

All my phone calls and letters to try to resolve the situation were ignored, and I was sent an extremely unpleasant letter by a debt collection agency saying that legal action would be taken if I did not pay the £25 within 14 days.

Further phone calls and letters were also ignored, and nine days later I had such a threatening letter from a legal firm that I paid up rather than lose my creditworthiness by being blacklisted.

The amount involved was very small, but I stuck out on principle. I was shocked at the treatment I received and the tone of the letters sent, when I had done everything according to the agreement.

Su Dobson