Surely bending the law?

Orange Broad Band and probably other Orange customers.

The VAT return (17.5% to 15%) for December and January is apparently too difficult to administer to all the customers, it’s only about 50p per customer.
So, rather than solve the problem, Orange have given the money to UNICEF.
No customers have been asked.
That is probably illegal, or it should be.

I already give to UNICEF, and if I was asked I would have said yes………but to remove money owed without asking is taking the pi55 IMO.

It’s not the money, it’s the principle.

This is the Email: –

Following the recent VAT rate cut, we’re pleased to confirm that you’ll be paying the reduced rate of 15% from 1 February 2009. So you’ll start seeing the savings on your February bill.

a goodwill gesture
We’re sorry about the delay getting back to you concerning the savings incurred from 1 December 2008 to 31 January 2009. Because of the administration involved it’s proving difficult to credit every customer account with an accurate amount.

The individual sums are relatively small at around 50p per customer, but it would be wholly inappropriate for us to keep hold of those amounts. That’s why we intend to donate the grand total to charity. The lump sum saved by thousands of Orange broadband customers up until 31 January 2009 will make a real difference to UNICEF UK’s Children’s Emergency Fund, our charity partner since 2004. We hope you agree.