BT have told News OnTheWight this morning (Thursday) that they’ve suspended all activity on the Island, whilst they investigate an incident with their agents.
Earlier in the week News OnTheWight readers were warned about reports of people claiming to be from BT/EE needing personal details to take over WightFibre contracts.
False claims
WightFibre’s CEO, John Irvine, emailed customers stating that the door knockers were genuine salespeople working for BT/EE.
He said the agents were telling customers that “BT have taken over WightFibre” and that they were collecting account details to transfer accounts to BT. They were also saying that “WightFibre is going out of business” asking customers to transfer their accounts to BT.
Wightfibre confirmed they are not going out of business.
BT suspends activity
News OnTheWight got in touch with BT with a number of questions about the claims. A BT spokesperson told News OnTheWight,
“We have suspended all activity in this area while we investigate this incident.”
The spokesperson for BT explained that they work with their agents “to let consumers know about the latest offers available in their area”.
They also stated that their agents should never ask for financial details from anyone and cannot complete sales or transactions.
BT: Agents should not discuss business operation of other providers
BT added,
“The agents are trained to offer BT and EE products and services only and not to discuss the business operation of other providers.”
Response from Money Expert
News OnTheWight have put a number of questions to BT’s agents, Money Expert. It took a few days, but they eventually replied,
“Money Expert operates field marketing campaigns in partnership with BT. Whilst operating nationwide, we do not have a permanent presence on the Isle of Wight and activity on the Island has been suspended while we investigate this incident.
“Our agents are trained and assessed regularly on compliance and safeguarding. Our agents will never ask for financial details from anyone and cannot complete sales or transactions. We have robust compliance measures in place which include that only BT or EE employees can complete sales transactions over the phone or in-store, or customers can directly place orders through BT websites. This helps to independently validate customers’ understanding and willingness to proceed and avoid misrepresentation.
“MoneyExpert does not condone any form of misconduct and our agents are trained to offer BT and EE products and services only and not to discuss the business operation of other providers.”
Number of reports to Trading Standards
News OnTheWight has also contacted Trading Standards to find out how many people have reported the activities of the BT/EE agents.
The council told News OnTheWight they’d had five reports.
Article edit
12.25pm 7th Feb 2023 – Response from Money Expert and IWC added
