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Re:TV detector vans once prowled the streets of England by eplanit on Tuesday January 19, 2021 @09:41AM (#25833789)
Less toxic than law enforcement knocking on my door to see if I have a damn television. I'd rather reign in authoritarianism.
Re:TV detector vans once prowled the streets of England by scotty79 on Tuesday January 19, 2021 @11:06AM (#25834807)
Driving door to door is insane for me. They'd be much better off if they funded BBC from tax directly. People should pay for it to exist whether they have TV or not becuse everybody benefits(?) from culture creatd by BBC.
Re:TV detector vans once prowled the streets of England by faceplanted on Tuesday January 19, 2021 @10:13AM (#25834143)
They're not law enforcement
Re:TV detector vans once prowled the streets of England by eplanit on Tuesday January 19, 2021 @10:41AM (#25834498)
So one can just tell them to f--- off and go away?
Re:TV detector vans once prowled the streets of England by mnw21cam on Tuesday January 19, 2021 @10:53AM (#25834648)
Yes, you can. Please do. It would be a net benefit to humanity if everyone did that. Capita only use the bullying tactics because they think that it will get them an increased return. However, they are technically nothing more than very pushy sales agents trying to sell you something. If everyone told them to get stuffed, there's an extremely slim chance that they might choose a more pleasant tactic. I wouldn't hold one's breath though.

You can also write to Capita and tell them that they are not welcome on your property, and then they can't even walk up to your front door. If you have a sticker on your front door rejecting cold callers and door-to-door sales, then they are trespassing as soon as they knock. Call the police if they don't leave. I have heard enough stories of Capita agents doing misdeeds once inside that you should not trust them, regardless of how many threats they make. The only circumstances under which you should ever let them in is if they are accompanied by police with a search warrant.

You can also write to them and tell them that you view their threatening letters as harassment, and that they must stop sending them. You don't need to tell them your name - just your address.

Re:TV detector vans once prowled the streets of England by eplanit on Tuesday January 19, 2021 @10:55AM (#25834673)
Good to know, and you're right. Glad to know it's not as dystopian as it sounds.
Re:TV detector vans once prowled the streets of England by vaduz on Tuesday January 19, 2021 @12:13PM (#25835708)
Unless they come with an actual search warrant (which is rare, but can happen [0] as I wrote in a cousin thread, sometimes with the police assist), yes, you can. Capital/TVL have no inherent power to enter your premises unless invited - but you can't just throw them out after inviting them in.

[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25835140

Re:TV detector vans once prowled the streets of England by afavour on Tuesday January 19, 2021 @11:03AM (#25834766)
“reign in authoritarianism”?!?

It’s not dissimilar to a tax audit. Heaven forbid we could all be a little less hysterical.