Eircom customers face backdated pay demands

Tens of thousands of Eircom customers are to be sent demands for backdated payments of hundreds of euro due to a billing error.

The company explained that due to a system error related to the implementation of the Single Euro Payments Area initiative, up to 30,000 customers did not have all or some of their monthly direct debit payments taken from their bank accounts for the phone, broadband, and television service since January.

However, customers received their bills as normal, stating that the direct debits had been paid.

Affected customers are to receive a phone call or letter from the company informing them of the error. Their next bill will carry the next amount due to be paid by direct debit plus the outstanding amount.

Speaking to RTÉ radio, Eircom’s director of corporate affairs, Paul Bradley, said it was not expecting customers who might be struggling to pay the amount in one go.

“We are asking customers that have any difficulties whatsoever in terms of paying the outstanding amount, to please contact us and we will work with them in order to put a payment plan in place,” he said.

Mr Bradley said the error affects about 4% of customers, with an average back payment of €100 due.

* Eircom: 1800 303432, Monday to Friday.