Text tells when it's time to pay up (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Text tells when it's time to pay up

MORE people than ever before are paying for their TV licence on time thanks to a text message reminder service for those who pay weekly.

Anyone in Swindon who signs up to pay for their licence using the Cash Easy Entry scheme for those on income-related state benefits can now opt to be reminded when their payments are due via a simple text message and local licence payers are signing up in their hundreds.

Following a successful pilot, during which 16 per cent more customers made their initial payment on time, more than 150 texts have now been sent to cash scheme payers in Swindon.

TV Licensing is one of the first groups to use text messaging to help people keep on track with their payments.

The service involves receiving a personalised text reminder several days before their initial weekly payment is due. The text includes the amount due and a helpline number to call in case of any problems.