JHW & others - It's not the BBC. It's that company called Capita that nearly went tits up at the start of this year (I think it was this year). The TVLA is a fiction. It isn't an authority in any way, if it even has a bona fide existence. The BBC contracts out securing their revenue stream to debt collection companies (or companies that deal in such). Last time I had reason to look, Capita's contract covered about 96% of possible Licence Fee* payers and, of course, they've no reason to chase those who DO pay...

But they're scumbags who think you owe them a living. Once upon a time they enclosed a pre-paid envelope with their letters (haven't seen one in 20 years, Jim); they stopped that a long time ago. They don't have a free-phone number. You owe them a living, despite the fact you owe the BBC nothing. Not having that. They insist that they have to check every two years, just in case you've suddenly decided to become a criminal (they don't say the bit after the comma, but that's the insulting implication of what they do say).

Some 6-7 years ago, I know it cost 25-30p to print & mail out a simple letter. It depends on what bulk rate postage you can negotiate (so it's probably much more expensive now, given postage rises). The last time they sent one of their oiks round must have been at least 6-7 years ago, because they've been harassing me for at least 4-5, threatening me with an "investigation". Go ahead. They send me roughly one letter a month, on receipt of which I smile & dump it in the recycling bin. If they'd sent me a pre-paid envelope, I'd have told them nothing's changed. Instead, I'm happy to cost them money, because I see no reason why I should spend MY money, however few pennies, telling them they have no business with me.

But they're arrogant, stupid, and think the world owes them a living...

* I have no objection to the Licence Fee. The BBC has to be funded somehow, and as our only public & independent broadcaster, it has to be funded by the general Us, if you don't want our broadcasting to go the way of 'Murica.