Caller Display/BT Answer 1571 charges

Unbeknownst to me, Caller Display and BT Answer 1571 have been free since 2005 yet BT have been charging me £3.50/month (slighlty less before price increases) so I have been paying unnessarily for 9 years! I queried this with them and they said £1.75 of it was for BT Answer 1571 which I don't recall ever signing up to and does not appear anywhere on my bill. All that appears on my bill is £3.50 for Caller Display. How was I supposed to know I had 1571 and had been paying for it?!?
It is a really deceitful way of getting money out of their customers because I presumably didn't specifically tell them I would now like it free instead of paying for it.
I signed up to Caller Display about 17 years ago when it was chargeble but would have expected them to drop the charge in 2005 when it became free for everyone else, silly me.
BTW I have now cancelled it and signed up to BT Privacy for 12 months so am now getting it free. This doesn't help me recoup the £100's I lost though!
Hope this post at least helps someone else pick up on it.

They started charging for this service for all customers at the start of this year,
Life | 1967 Plus Radio | 1000 Classical Hits | Kafka's World
Someone Solved Your Question?
Please let other members know by clicking on ’Mark as Accepted Solution’
Helpful Post?
If a post has been helpful, say thanks by clicking the ratings star.

Similar Messages

Caller Display Charge from Jan 2014

With regard to the soon to be chargeable options 1571 and Caller Display I am confused as to whether I would be charged or not.
For 1571 I cancelled this a few years ago as it interferred with my Answerphone, so hopefully there will be no automatic 'opt-in' for this for me, but Caller Display ?.
I currently have a phone (BT Graphite) that displays the number calling me. However all talk seems to be of 'BT Privacy at Home with Caller display' being the chargable option. I am not sure if this is what I have. Reading BT website for this addon simply means the User would also be signed up with TPS, but I did this myself, again many years ago, so is what I use simply to get a number displayed on the Phone, so is this 'BT Privacy at home with Caller Display' or not. There is no identification of this on 'My BT' Account Page. I have also read that Inclusive call packages could include Caller Display, my package is Unlimited Evening & Weekend calls

Thanks for the clarification.
So, my understanding is as follows:-
I am currently on 'Broadband Option 1' with 'Unlimited Anytime Plan' at a cost of £16.90 per month + Line Rental
I believe the cost for 'Unlimited Anytime Plan' is £5.15 at present (included in the £16.90).
NB: I am not currently in a contract. It finished in May this year
Having entered my account no. and telephone number in the Broadband Price Checker for the price after 4/1/2014, it shows the cost rising to £17.98.
However, if I want to continue 'Caller Display' as a free service, then I will need to agree to a NEW 12 month contract with BT. On taking out a NEW contract, I believe that I will then be subject to the £7.00 monthly charge for 'Unlimited Anytime Plan' as opposed to £5.48. Is my understanding correct on this point?
If so, will my NEW monthly payment rise to £19.50 (difference between £5.48 and £7.00) + Line Rental?
It really is important that I determine what the actual cost will be.

1571 & caller display

I have tried BT call center but gave up, I am being charged for 1571 which I don't have and caller display which I have paid line rental upfront for a year I thought that was ment to be free if you renewed it.
Anyone have any ideas who to contact I don't fancy trying the India call center again.
Terry w

You actually have to select it yourself from this page.
https://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerOrders/control/orderproduct?productId=CON-27455&produ...
Look at the top for free caller display for 12 months, then submit the order.
There are some useful help pages here, for BT Broadband customers only, on my personal website.
BT Broadband customers - help with broadband, WiFi, networking, e-mail and phones.

Remove calling features - Answer 1571 and Privacy ...

I've just ordered a new connection, and decided to opt into the "free" calling features Answer 1571 and Privacy at Home. After completing the order I was notified by email that these features are only free under certain conditions, otherwise there's an additional monthly charge. This was probably mentioned somewhere while I was ordering it, but I didn't see it so I'm guessing it was buried in small print.
I'd like to opt out of these calling features to avoid having to pay any additional charges, but I can't find any information on how to change which calling features I'm subscribed to. Please can you let me know how to turn off Answer 1571 and Privacy at Home.
I'd also like to make a suggestion: You should make it clear to your customers that there are hidden charges associated with these "free" services before they place their orders.
-Mike

You may be able to visit www.bt.com/myaccount. there is a link on there to changing your calling features, if not it's a call to 150
(If I have helped you in any way to say "Thank You" please click on the star next to the message. Thank You)
If I have solved your Issue please click the "Mark as accepted solution" button.

Caller Display Charging Problem

This is now the 3rd month in a row I have been charged for Caller Display, I have contacted the Indian online live chat twice previously but the problem still persists, can someone here get to the bottom of this and refund me the sums I have been overcharged and sort it out so that I don't get charged next month?

Hi beseeinyou,
I'll be able to pick this up from here and get you sorted. Sorry that you're still being charged despite contacting us twice to stop that happening.
Click on my username and under the "about me" section of my profile you'll see the link to send over your details.
Cheers,
Robbie
BTCare Community Mod
If we have asked you to email us with your details, please make sure you are logged in to the forum, otherwise you will not be able to see our ‘Contact Us’ link within our profiles.
We are sorry that we are unable to deal with service/account queries via the private message(PM) function so please don't PM your account info, we need to deal with this via our email account :-)
If someone answers your question correctly please let other members know by clicking on ’Mark as Accepted Solution’.

1571 & BT Caller display

The generic email I've received about the January 2014 price increases mentions the new charges of £1.75 for BT 1571 and for BT Privacy but does not explain if I have these services (it is generic after all!). How can I find out if I have them? They're not mentioned on my (pdf) bills or on the My BT webpage (all this says is "Get BT privacy, BT answer 1571, and BT 1471 calling features at no extra cost" which is some kind of a joke). If I only find out after my first bill after the January increase will the charges be refunded since it hasn't been made clear to me that I have these services?

this was covered here I think http://community.bt.com/t5/Bills-Packages/Jan-2014-price-rises-are-confusing-re-1571/td-p/1038802
If you like a post, or want to say thanks for a helpful answer, please click on the Ratings star on the left-hand side of the post.
If someone answers your question correctly please let other members know by clicking on ’Mark as Accepted Solution’.

Caller Display Charges

Last year BT introduced a charge for Caller Display. If you took out a new 12 month line contract they would continue to be free. I did this and have not been charged for this service.
I have just received my latest bill and there is a small note opposite line charge stating that I will be charged for Caller Display from mt next bill. Last year when BT announced this charge there was a furore and questions were asked in Parliament.
Will BT be doing the same this year and giving it free if a new contract is taken out?
I also noticed on my bill that I was being charged for BT Sport HD which I have never requested. I recently took out a new contract to continue to get BT Sport SD free on Sky. I know that it had been announced that although BT Sport SD would be free for another year HD would be chargeable. No mention was made of this when I took out the new contract. I have contacted BT and they are removing this charge.
It seems that BT will take every opportunity to put extra charges on your bill and make things as difficult as possible to understand.
Peter

BT did not start charging for Caller Display until early January 2014 but because I took out the deal for 12 months free caller display on the 11th December 2013 I will be charged for it from 10th December 2014. I wish that I had waited until January 2014 to take up the deal.

'Free' Caller Display Being Charged For

For the last three months I've been charged for Caller Display when it should be free until 04/12/15.
Each time I've used live chat help and have eventually got the first two months refunded but have just been charged again. I've just got off live chat and have been told (again) I will be refunded and the problem will be sorted but I can't say I have much faith.
How can I get this fixed once and for all?
Thanks,
Paul
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi TykeUK,
Thanks for your post.
I can help get this sorted for you. Can you send me in your details using the "Contact The Mods" link found in my profile and I will be in touch.
Cheers,
OlgaC
BTCare Community Mod
If we have asked you to email us with your details, please make sure you are logged in to the forum, otherwise you will not be able to see our ‘Contact Us’ link within our profiles.
We are sorry that we are unable to deal with service/account queries via the private message(PM) function so please don't PM your account info, we need to deal with this via our email account :-)
If someone answers your question correctly please let other members know by clicking on ’Mark as Accepted Solution’.

Re: Recurring charge for Caller Display

Hi,
Sorry to post here but I can't find the new thread option, I'm new to this forum.
I'm having the same issue with being charged for caller display. I was assured last month it was all sorted out and I'd be refunded back to September, just got this month's bill with a paltry £1.69. I really can't cope with the foreign call centre again, can someone please help?

If you have done online help and customer services then see if mods can help. They will post a contact us link.
After completing the email NOT PM then you join a queue of other customers waiting for mod help. The mods will get back to you in 3/5 working days either by phone or email
If you like a post, or want to say thanks for a helpful answer, please click on the Ratings star on the left-hand side of the post.
If someone answers your question correctly please let other members know by clicking on ’Mark as Accepted Solution’.

Recurring charge for Caller Display

I renewed my line rental contract for a year to get free caller display but I am still getting charged for it 3 months later.
In February I contacted Live chat and was assured it was all sorted and I wouldn't get charged again.
My March bill was issued yesterday and I have been charged yet again, there was a refund of 6 pence ? supposedly for caller display.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi Patty-L,
Sorry about that
You should be able to see the link now.
Thanks
PaddyB
BTCare Community Mod
If we have asked you to email us with your details, please make sure you are logged in to the forum, otherwise you will not be able to see our ‘Contact Us’ link within our profiles.
We are sorry but we are unable to deal with service/account queries via the private message(PM) function so please don't PM your account info, we need to deal with this via our email account :-)

Registering for Caller Display. Do I need to?

Quick history:
Mod on this forum arranges new deal for me for combined Infinity/Call package.
I agree to new deal on condition that I get everything on my account as it was.
New contract starts (Broadband/Calls/Line Rental) on 10th of September 2013.
My Call Package includes BT Privacy, etc. at no extra cost. See pic below...
A few days later news breaks that BT intend to start charging for the same calling features.
I write to the Mod asking if I will have to start paying the fee for these services. He doesn't reply. Eventually I get a reply (obviously automated) telling me the info is on the website, and links to same.
I write back asking for a proper reply to my question; this time I get a reply from 'Yunus', but it doesn't answer the question, (he only confirms that line rental will go up 6.4%), so I try other means.
I use the price increase checker linked to on the other thread here; it tells me the Infinity/Calls Package will go up, but there is no mention of any changes to my Calling Features prices.
I try Live Chat; holy sh!t, these people are useless! Are they paid to just tell you want to hear?
First guy tells me 'no increase' in any of my prices';
second guy says line rental going up, Infinity going up, but caller features package will not go up as they were included free in the package I signed up for with the Mod here
third, it's a girl; she says everything will go up, and if I choose to leave I need to pay a full year's charges for cancelling.
Plainly, they are not all correct.
All I want to know is, what is going up? When? Do I have to sign up/pre-register for this free year's Caller Display thing? Won't that mean my contracts for BB/Calls, and Line Rental will have different end dates?
I have read the big long thread about the rises, so do not require a repeat of the answers given there as most of them contradict each other anyway, just like Live Chat.
It would be helpful to get a reply from a Mod (preferably the one who signed me up to this new contract in the first place) and not from any of the BT 'groupies'.
Thanks.
Incidentally, I've not had any letter or e-mail informing me of the price rises at all.
I'm a Private person; I respect those who respect my Privacy.

DavidM wrote:
Hi Old_Bear,
Thanks for posting. Not sure what you mean by BT 'groupies' but you can check if you're directly affected by the pricing change by entering your details here.
Cheers
David
Hi David
Old_Bear wrote:
I use the price increase checker linked to on the other thread here; it tells me the Infinity/Calls Package will go up, but there is no mention of any changes to my Calling Features prices.
Been there, done that!
Also spoke to Live Chat - pretty useless!
My questions were:
What else will go up?
Will I start being charged for caller display, etc. when they are clearly included free as part of the package I agreed to sign up for with your colleague?
Do I have to sign up/pre-register to get it for free when BT do start charging?
Will this mean my Line Rental and BB/Calls contracts will have different end dates?
I only want a straight answer to my questions; Customer Service have so far given me 5 different answers.
I'm a Private person; I respect those who respect my Privacy.

Old caller display CD1500

I have an old BT CD1500 unit which has inch high numbers and letters and includes a 70 number directory of names which displays instead of the number, a brilliant bit of kit, mine has been working for many years on an ordinary line, then later with BT Broadband.
I just had BT infinity fibre broadband installed, and the last call displayed was the Openreach Engineer to say he was on the way. The engineer did not check to see it was working before he left as he should have done.
When the CD stopped indicating new calls I rang to complain, but when we realised that the caller id on my cordless phone was still working Openreach told me the CD1500 was obsolete and there was nothing they could do. The CD1500 still showed the time correctly and indicated when the line was busy as normal, just no incoming calls indicated. Very suspicious that the equipment was working perfectly until the engineers came! After some research I uncovered the following vitally useful information.
Early BT caller display equipment usually will NOT work on Cable phone lines as they use a different signalling standard, later equipment is mostly dual standard, but you do need to check before switching providers. Mind you most sales people BT or cable company have no idea of this.
The thing that brought my CD1500 back to life was when I discovered that the unit is polarity conscious. For most modern phone equipment it does not matter which way round the incoming pairs of the phone line are connected although this used not to be true, old BT pay hones and the now obsolete party lines were dependant on the line pair being connected the right way round, but not any longer.As a result most Openreach engineers are lax about ensuring that lines are connected with correct polarity, and this does not usually matter, but it does matter with early caller display equipment like the CD1500.
This was easily fixed and hey presto incoming calls are now displayed as before.
Of course only Openreach engineers are allowed to mess with the line in this way, so unless you are absolutely sure you know what to do then don't, because you won't want to pay Openreach' wickedly exorbitant call out fees to fix any problems you may encounter. They should however agree to send someone out free of charge to swap the wires as they caused the problem in the first case, but you do need to be sure this is the cause of the problem first. It is scandalous that you may be expected to agree to pay to find out if the problem is something as simple and preventable as this.
So if you have elderly BT caller display gear that suddenly stops working especially after engineering attention to your line then the polarity may be the reason.

The CD 1500 is not compatible with broadband, due to the fact that the filters in the equipment, cannot pass the correct signalling conditions. This has been known about since broadband was first implemented. I had a CD 1500, which stopped working when I got broadband, a long time ago.
If you need a stand-alone caller display, then all of the new models will cope with the DTMF data burst which is transmitted along the line, before the first burst of ringing current.
There are some useful help pages here, for BT Broadband customers only, on my personal website.
BT Broadband customers - help with broadband, WiFi, networking, e-mail and phones.

Re: Registering for Caller Display. Do I need to?

Old_Bear: loved your reference to the BT 'groupies'. I know exactly what you mean and we all know the biggest of them all.

DavidM wrote:
Hi Old_Bear,
Thanks for posting. Not sure what you mean by BT 'groupies' but you can check if you're directly affected by the pricing change by entering your details here.
Cheers
David
Hi David
Old_Bear wrote:
I use the price increase checker linked to on the other thread here; it tells me the Infinity/Calls Package will go up, but there is no mention of any changes to my Calling Features prices.
Been there, done that!
Also spoke to Live Chat - pretty useless!
My questions were:
What else will go up?
Will I start being charged for caller display, etc. when they are clearly included free as part of the package I agreed to sign up for with your colleague?
Do I have to sign up/pre-register to get it for free when BT do start charging?
Will this mean my Line Rental and BB/Calls contracts will have different end dates?
I only want a straight answer to my questions; Customer Service have so far given me 5 different answers.
I'm a Private person; I respect those who respect my Privacy.

Is Caller Display free or not free for 12 months?

When BT announced there would be a charge of £1.75 pm for Caller Display, they also stated this service would be free for 12 months if the subscriber renewed their contract for one year. i rang BT and agreed to take up the offer.
I have looked at the past 2 bills and they have the following line entries. Here's the latest bill, word for word:
1. BT Privacy at Home - Caller Display   28 Apr - 27 May 14
This is the cost of your BT Privacy at Home - Caller Display up to 27 May 2014 at £1.75 a month   £1.75
2. BT Privacy with Caller Display free for 12 months 28 Apr - 27 May 14   £0.00
I queried the £1.75 charge shown on line 1. via BT online webchat and here's BT's response, again word for word:
"BT Privacy With Caller Display is free but for BT Privacy at Home you will be charged £1.75"
You will notice that in their reply they have omitted 'Caller Display' after 'at Home' although the bill clearly shows this at line 1. above.
Can somebody please tell me should I be paying £1.75 a month? If this is so then will line 2. revert to a further £1.75 after the 12 month's expiry which will mean £3.50 a month in total'.
I just thought as a simpleton that I was getting Caller Display entirely free for 12 months by signing a new contract. Maybe life is not that simple?

john46: You state "to put it very simply the 1.75 is charged on one line and credited back on the next line".
Well it isn't. Had there had been such a credit on the bill I would not have raised a bill query with BT or this forum.
Below is my total bill where you can see I have no credit shown. It all adds up to £34.50 including the £1.75 Caller Display fee.
I cannot get a reply out of BT or even an acknowledgement to my email querying the charge. What do you suggest I do? Send a specific mail giving them 7 days' notice that I will cancel the Direct Debit and send a cheque less the missing credits, if I don't receive a satisfactory answer?
Your reply and those of the 2 other respondents now confirm that there should be a credit line of £1.75.
Whatever happens you have proven BT owes me £1.75 for each month this has occurred. May I therefore use your name and your answer in a further email to BT? It will be interesting to see if that prompts a response.
Line Rental
28 Apr - 27 May 14 £0.00
Barring withheld calls
28 Apr - 27 May 14 This is the cost of your Barring withheld calls charged in advance (£4.75 a month) £4.75
BT Privacy at Home - Caller Display 28 Apr - 27 May 14 This is the cost of your BT Privacy at Home - Caller Display up to 27 May 2014 at £1.75 a month £1.75
BT Privacy with Caller Display free for 12 months 28 Apr - 27 May 14 £0.00
You're making great savings by paying your line rental upfront for the next 12 months. More information
Package
Broadband and Calls 28 Apr - 27 May 14 This is the cost of your Package at £18.00 a month, charged in advance from
28 Apr 2014 to 27 May 2014. This gives you:
Calling Plan Unlimited Weekend Calls
Broadband BT Infinity 1
£18.00
Unlimited Anytime Calls Add-on 28 Apr - 27 May 14 This is the cost of your Unlimited Anytime Calls Add-on charged in advance (£7.00 a month)
Includes anytime calls to UK landlines and discounts to UK mobiles £7.00
BT Sports
BT Sport HD Pack 28 Apr - 27 May 14 3.00 a month, charged in
advance from 28 Apr 2014 to 27 May 2014 £3.00
Total line rental and other basic charges £34.50

Caller Display query

Hi there
I currently get Caller Display free as long as I make a number of chargeable calls within a given period, but I see that it will be changing in the new year, and will only be free (for a year) if you sign up for the 12 month contract.
However, I signed up for a 12 month contract in March this year and so have a few months of the current contract left. I've already decided that I'll sign up again when this contract ends. Do I/will I qualify for the free Caller Display?
Thanks.

Ectophile wrote:
No. You need to agree to a new 12 month contract starting in January.
I also re-contracted in March. My intention is to just pay the charge for a couple of months, then phone up Customer Options and tell them thay need to give me a better deal than last year to make up for the price increases.
Thanks for your reply, Ectophile. I did think it likely was an offer to lure in new contract customers.
I'll do what you're going to do, and see if I can get them to throw it in when I renew. Otherwise I'm cancelling Caller Display altogether after March.

Caller Display/BT Answer 1571 charges

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for