topic Ex won't cancel account in Account & Billing

Ex won't cancel account

Sharon3492 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:22:46 GMT

My ex left in January and they sky account is in his name. I agreed to continue to pay sky until it could be cancelled in June without early termination fees.

However things are no longer amicable and he is no longer talking to me.

I understand I can not cancel it as it's not in my name and have been advised that the only thing I could do is to cancel the DD.

However If I do this, would it jeopardise me then setting up a new account in my name??

Thanks

Re: Ex won't cancel account

NickNewark — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:29:10 GMT

@Sharon3492 That's a tricky one, is the bank account solely in your name ? Would you be able to call Sky and pass security to speak to someone ?

if the account is still registered in his name at your address, then it's difficult to know how to proceed, I wouldn't advise cancelling the direct debit as this will affect your credit rating, etc.

Re: Ex won't cancel account

Sharon3492 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:28:37 GMT

Bank account is in my name as I am paying for it, don't know what his password is to pass security though so not sure what I'll be able to do.

Re: Ex won't cancel account

NickNewark — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:34:25 GMT

@Sharon3492 Very frustrating, I suspect if you are not communicating, and you know where he resides then it may be a solicitors letter to try and encourage him to cancel the account, he has to do it, afaik.

Re: Ex won't cancel account

GD1 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:58:46 GMT

@Sharon3492 On the flip side if account is in their name and you're paying the direct debit then cancelling it would mean Sky would chase them for payment not you as the account is not yours.

As per @NickNewark this does carry it's own risk namely that while there is a active account registered it woud stop you signing up to Sky yourself. Of course it would also leave you without any subscription TV and/or broadband service.

There isn't an easy solution but the view may be why are you paying for another persons account if they refuse to communicate with you?

Re: Ex won't cancel account

daveNOS — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:53:44 GMT

@NickNewark wrote:
if the account is still registered in his name at your address, then it's difficult to know how to proceed, I wouldn't advise cancelling the direct debit as this will affect your credit rating, etc.

@NickNewark Cancelling the direct debit will have zero affect on the OP's credit rating, the account is not in their name and they have zero contractual or legal responsibility to pay for it.

@Sharon3492 You are free to just cancel the direct debit, Sky will only persue the account holder for any outstanding monies owed, it also shouldn't stop you siging up as a new customer.

Re: Ex won't cancel account

NickNewark — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:57:09 GMT

@daveNOS I would be inclined to agree, hopefully the Ex has the account registered under his own mobile and email account, as he will then receive the communications.

Re: Ex won't cancel account

DaveDrizen — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:06:04 GMT

@Sharon3492 wrote:
My ex left in January and they sky account is in his name. I agreed to continue to pay sky until it could be cancelled in June without early termination fees.

However things are no longer amicable and he is no longer talking to me.

I understand I can not cancel it as it's not in my name and have been advised that the only thing I could do is to cancel the DD.

However If I do this, would it jeopardise me then setting up a new account in my name??

Thanks

Hi Though it tricky situation however if the equipment is still at your property and you still watching the service and you are at present happy with the package you have. It only a name you want changed. However from what I understand even if your ex husband agreeed to put the account in your name as far Sky are concerned things are that straightforward. As they won't actually just change the name on the account . The only time they do this is when the account holder dies they will put the account in spouse name. But in situations like your when the account holder has left property where the equipment is to get it your name, the account has to actually be cancelled, the equipment has to be returned to Sky Only then can you take out an account in your name and if it SkyQ a engineer will come and reinstall your equipment. To me it daft way to work but that the way Sky do this meaning there will be period when you won't have service. So if it just a name change you want and you don't actually want to change any thing. Has hard as it might be to your feelings it might be best to leave things as they are as it only a name change at present and you are paying the bill and enjoying the service. Of cause there will be come time when you want to. change things or your minimum term comes to a end you will then have to go though the plat a I mentioned above.

Re: Ex won't cancel account

daveNOS — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:17:49 GMT

@DaveDrizen That is some very bad advice, there are potential legal implications for continuing to use the service that is in someone elses name regardless of the fact the OP is paying for it.

Re: Ex won't cancel account

DaveDrizen — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:27:02 GMT

@daveNOS wrote:
@DaveDrizen That is some very bad advice, there are potential legal implications for continuing to use the service that is in someone elses name regardless of the fact the OP is paying for it.

So what else can be done she not account holder but the billing address is hers and also the of wher Sky equipment is, if she cancels the payment method apart from Sky not wanting to talk to a body other than the account holder who as far I read will not be communicated with. All the correspondence will be coming to her address including the debt collection people eventually. As she not the account holder but wants an account in her name in her own house somthing that is not passable at present asSky won't speaker to tell them the address of the account holder and they are no longer on speaking terms What other option has she got If there is legal implications she could try writing to home explaining the situation if she knows when he, is other than that get advice of a solicitor before taking any further action and getting him to write him a letter may be he take notice of that or a solicitor's letter to Sky telling them the situation and his address if it known but also asking if the can be cancel at her address as the account holder no longer resident there. As though Sky won't talk to anybody other than the account holder, they take notice of a solicitor. However in the mean time why can't she enjoy the service she actually paying for until the situation can be resolved and till she have account of her own make use of equment and service she having to continue to pay fore and after the equipment is there why not make use of it.Have you got any better suggestions.

Re: Ex won't cancel account

daveNOS — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:22:35 GMT

@DaveDrizen The only real option is to just cancel the direct debit and then let Sky take whateverer action they need to towards the account holder, any letters should be marked "addressee not know at this address ,return to sender" and put back in the post.

Continuing to use a service that is not in your name opens you up to potential legal issues(such as potential fraud or identity theft claims if the other person decides to be vindictive).

Just carrying on because its the easiest option is not the way to go.

Re: Ex won't cancel account

DaveDrizen — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:00:54 GMT

@daveNOS wrote:

@DaveDrizen The only real option is to just cancel the direct debit and then let Sky take whateverer action they need to towards the account holder, any letters should be marked "addressee not know at this address ,return to sender" and put back in the post.

Continuing to use a service that is not in your name opens you up to potential legal issues(such as potential fraud or identity theft claims if the other person decides to be vindictive).

Just carrying on because its the easiest option is not the way to go.

But the equipment is at that address if they get letters returned to them "addreee not known at that address" Sky may take action to get there equment back and cancel the contract at that address. More over she wants to watch Sky in her name until, the present contract is cancelled and the present equipment retunted to Sky she can do that, [Removed]

Moderator notes: Removed incorrect info

Re: Ex won't cancel account

daveNOS — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:30:51 GMT

@DaveDrizen wrote:
@daveNOS wrote:
@DaveDrizen The only real option is to just cancel the direct debit and then let Sky take whateverer action they need to towards the account holder, any letters should be marked "addressee not know at this address ,return to sender" and put back in the post.
Continuing to use a service that is not in your name opens you up to potential legal issues(such as potential fraud or identity theft claims if the other person decides to be vindictive).
Just carrying on because its the easiest option is not the way to go.
But the equipment is at that address if they get letters returned to them "addreee not known at that address" Sky may take action to get there equment back and cancel the contract at that address. More over she wants to watch Sky in her name until, the present contract is cancelled and the present equipment retunted to Sky she can do that, Also cancelling the debut could have future credit implations for her as that her account will have a bad debt against her and her property thus stoping her having futher credit in the future, in fact as Sky run a credit check before setting up new accounts she my find that Sky might even reduce as being a bad debter after all the account is his name yes but it her name on payment method and her billing address all information that can bepassed to credit agency's as a risk for potential future credit agreements

@DaveDrizen The only person who will suffer any credit impact is the account holder, they are the only one with any responsibility for payment.

The current account has to be cancelled, whether that's done by cancelling the direct debit and letting the account default or by the account holder doing the right thing.

You are giving out terrible advice and it needs to stop, the potential legal implications of using someone's else's service outweighs any disruption caused by having a break in service while they get their own account set up.

Re: Ex won't cancel account

Sharon3492 — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:14:08 GMT

Thanks for all your help guys will contact sky to see if they can help first.