BT mail

Clive · Mar 04, 2014, 17:58:04

I've had my BTInternet address for over 15 years even though I no longer use BT as my ISP. I've now received an e-mail demanding I pay them £1.60 a month if I wish to continue using the address although whether or not the e-mail is genuine or not is another matter since I receive up to 20 phishing e-mails
purporting to come from BTInternet every single day. Most go into my spam box but many end up in my in box. When I hover my mouse over the links they do appear to be genuine. Sadly, I cannot export my contact list from BT and I've forgotten my username and password for Windows Live Mail which replaced my much loved Outlook Express. I seem to be up a creek without a paddle!

I know £1.60 a month is not a lot but I feel I'm being held to ransom by an unscrupulous bunch of crooks and I don't like it. Any ideas how I can get out of this situation?

Steve · Mar 04, 2014, 18:02:52

Sorry Clive, but why should customers who no longer use BT broadband expect to have 'life long' free use of a pre existing email account.

Simon · Mar 04, 2014, 18:09:03

The same goes for ex-IDNet customers, but it does appear to be the case that existing IDNet email addresses will remain active after the customer has left.

I guess the simplest solution is to change from the BT email address, although I know this is an inconvenience when you've used one email address for a long time.

Clive · Mar 04, 2014, 18:26:55

I would have thought it was good advertising for them for a start! OK, lets concentrate on Windows Live Mail. If I forget my login details on any website I can usually find at least some clues on the website or ask them for assistance. I'm logged into LiveMail but I can't even see my username. How can I find it?

Lance · Mar 04, 2014, 18:29:50

Quote from: Clive on Mar 04, 2014, 18:26:55
I'm logged into LiveMail but I can't even see my username.

I'm probably being stupid, but how did you log in without the username?

Clive · Mar 04, 2014, 18:46:57

Because I've never logged out of it since it was created.

nowster · Mar 04, 2014, 18:55:42

Get a cheap domain name (eg. .org.uk or .me.uk from Gandi.net is about £4 per year ex VAT, or £3/year ex VAT if you buy 2 or more years at once) and most registrars will throw in multiple "free" email accounts with the domain name. You can then freely move that domain name between registrars if the service deteriorates -- it's yours, not the ISP's.

Simon · Mar 04, 2014, 19:15:44

Is oldgit.com still available?

Clive, if you know the email address for your Live Mail account, perhaps you could log out, then use the password reminder link which should be on the login page?

Simon · Mar 04, 2014, 19:18:12

Or go to the settings page, which should give your details, although, that's a guess as I don't use it myself.

Clive · Mar 04, 2014, 21:59:07

Quote from: Simon on Mar 04, 2014, 19:15:44
Is oldgit.com still available?

Clive, if you know the email address for your Live Mail account, perhaps you could log out, then use the password reminder link which should be on the login page?

That's the problem Simon, I don't know which address I created. I treated the LiveMail account as nuisance value and never thought I would need to log in and out of it. At least I can access my address book with it. I'm determined I'm not going to pay the BT crooks for keeping my e-mail address which I originally had as a free Yahoo address!

Simon · Mar 04, 2014, 22:03:55

Surely, as you're logged in, it must display the email address somewhere?

If not, send an email from your livemail account to your BT one and see what address it comes from.

Of course, you can always use your IDNet email address.

nowster · Mar 04, 2014, 22:46:15

oldgit.com seems to be registered to SPARTA TRADING S.A. of Dubai, I'm afraid.

Simon · Mar 04, 2014, 22:56:03

Shame. I might even have had it for myself!

Lance · Mar 04, 2014, 23:16:11

Veryoldgit.com is available for Simon

pctech · Mar 05, 2014, 02:12:01

Clive

I do seriously recommend spending some money on your own domain so you are not tied to anyone, it was one of the best things I did.

nowster · Mar 05, 2014, 08:15:58

PS. There are some unscrupulous domain registrars out there who have hidden charges and charge you leaving fees for moving away from them. Always read the small print.

Clive · Mar 05, 2014, 08:41:18

I have a month to sort it out and I'll keep you informed.

colirv · Mar 05, 2014, 09:48:51

Quote from: Clive on Mar 04, 2014, 21:59:07BT crooks (for) keeping my e-mail address which I originally had as a free Yahoo address!

How did that work?

Clive · Mar 05, 2014, 20:47:41

BT Mail was BT Yahoo and the addresses were interchangeable back at the very beginning. I'm not sure now if this £1.60 a month applies to Talk21 customers only. According to ISPReview (hands up all those who were members)

the charge was supposed to be implemented from September 2013.

Simon · Mar 05, 2014, 20:53:27

Clive · Mar 05, 2014, 22:32:55

I'm trying to remember your username on ISPR.

Simon · Mar 05, 2014, 23:24:11

So am I!

Clive · Mar 06, 2014, 19:53:30

Wasn't it Lord something or other?

Mine was Clive and I think I was member number 375.

Simon · Mar 06, 2014, 20:23:34

If it was Lord something, I know what the something probably was, but I still use that elsewhere, so if I told you I'd have to kill you.

Clive · Mar 06, 2014, 21:44:04

I would probably forget within a minute of you telling me what it was.