Have been using bog standard BT broadband with a landline phone for a few years, and very happy with it.
Until recently.

I only use the internet for news, some discussion forums, paying bills, some shopping and web based email, and as I'm partially now sighted, the wonderful thing is that I can zoom and adjust my screen to see anything in large print/text. I use BT broadband and FireFox browser, which also helps me as it prompts me for UserIDs and then I just type in the password to do stuff like see bills. I have a hand held calculator thing for extra security from HSBC to access my bank website, which I use OK.

BT have now 'upgraded' their login (MyBT) and in doing so they have 'enhanced' their security, which means that to gain access to see my monthly phone bill, you have to change the password to something 'not weak' and ask you who your boss is (I don't have one) and my mothers name (she died 40years ago) and dig out the BT contract number (apparently written in small print on the original contract agreement). This caused me huge difficulties,and MyBT locked me out. Their helpdesk was unable to revert me to my much missed simple login.

Having done the BT India call centre run around, I got nowhere, they just couldn't understand me.

I eventually got a call back from a very nice lady with an Irish accent who did solve my problem. By dis-continueing me from MyBT and online billing and from now on to get my bills sent through the post in large print. They initially said I'd have a penalty charge of £1.50 a month for this, but I now have an email from them that this will not now be the case. (I'll update this message if they try). Now been downgraded to paper, but at least I can now see what they are charging me for when they take the money.

My water firm, electricity supplier, mobile phone service, and even the local garden centre points club can provide a simple easy-to-use website to view any bills and if necessary click on it to email it as a pdf. But BT cannot provide a SIMPLE login to view my phone bill, I have had to go back 10years and revert to paper billing.

I've had to stay with BT for at least another six months as they said if I move my broadband now, they will keep the six months line rental, as if it's my fault I have some loss of vision and somehow the 'website security changes' are for my benefit. I have already paid them six months advance and this deposit will be lost if I switch supplier (in the small print apparently).

Can anyone suggest a broadband supplier who just offer a direct debit mechanism and a SIMPLE login just to see the bill. I do not have six teenagers upstairs, watch Disney cartoons online, or want to disappear into infinity.

Any suggestions?

The extra questions are a second line validation of your logon. The answers you give to them do not have to be remotely sensible or factual. You could say your mothers name is "Fred Bloggs" or "Eliza Furtwrangler" for all the difference it makes to BT or whoever.

The point is that when you next log in you answer "Fred Bloggs" or "Eliza Furtwrangler" when asked who your mother is to verify it is really you and not some scroate hacking into your account. In fact making up a totally random fictitious name is probably MORE secure as the aforementioned scroate may well be able to find out your real mother's name or whatever if they are really intent on hacking into your account.

Many more places are adding this extra security to logins. So it is quite possible you will run into such a system again at some point.

Did you try your old password first? I did and was accepted.
Those questions don't show in their entirety either!

Sky do a simple log in which gets you into your account (bills) email etc.

Put your postcode into Sam and see which providers are available.
http://www.samknows.com/exchange_search

No problems here, I still login to My BT using my old username (it's not even an email address, just a name) and password. I can see my Bills and everything except email - but I do not and never will use BT email, I have another email altogether. Trying to login to my never-used BT email though is a huge hassle but the following message pops up:


So yours may be a temporary problem that will be fixed eventually? No problems here though apart from that BT email that I never use.