I refer to recent correspondence and also an item in On the Dot regarding charges being made to customers by Melita for not receiving bills by e-mail and for not paying their bills by direct debit.

The action being taken by Melita mainly hits the elderly and those who do not own or are not able to use a computer.

Why should a person be charged extra for not receiving his bill by e-mail or for not paying by direct debit? Moreover, why should a person without the means to receive his bill by e-mail not be allowed to receive it through someone else? This category would be mainly consist of elderly persons who are not computer literate but can receive their bill on one of their family members’ computers.

Strangely enough, Melita are also, in a way, backed by the Consumer Protection Department which – and this is the reply I got – says that companies can impose any charges and the department cannot stop them.

I appeal to the minister responsible for consumer protection: please, let the customer be right.

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