DU Brits: What happens if you don't pay the fees to receive the Beeb?

[Writer]

Is this a required fee? Will they come after you if you don't pay?

[wickerwoman]

1. Trying to remember from fifteen years ago...

It is a required fee. I don't think they can tell if you have a TV or not and I think there's a cottage industry selling TVs that get around the fee, same as pirated cable in states. I didn't know about the fee at the time, didn't pay it and nothing happened.

But I think people can turn you in for not paying it. And if a complaint is lodged you might be fined.

And I suspect that improvements in technology let them better monitor who has paid the fee and who hasn't. Just guessing though.

It isn't that much is it? And Auntie Beeb rocks. Why not just pay it?

[flvegan]

2. They'll come after you if they catch you watching it w/out paying.

IIRC (from family, not personal exp) they have trucks with listening devices that can tell if you have a tv on and will check to see if your license is paid. Also, stores that sell televisions have to inform TPTB that one was sold to you. They check that against the license database. If you choose to go without, they can come to your home and search for a tv or other equipment as they choose.

Sounded really...odd to me, to say the least.