We appreciate your continued patience and understanding in this regard
Motherfuckers have no clue how little understanding and patience I have left "in this regard."
I am trying to get higher speed internet service, but they insist I use a credit card. This company has been accessing one of my checking accounts electronically for over a year with absolutely no problems whatsoever!
thats just fucking stupid. most bills in the UK are paid by direct debit from bank accounts. 
It makes NO sense to me. All I'm trying to do is give them more of my money.
Its to stop you defaulting on your contract easily, after all they have your credit card. A checking account you can just close, and effectively stop paying them.
You're a fucking idiot.
Do you ever stop talking about things of which you have no knowledge? It is even easier to stop charges to a credit card than it is to stop charges to a banking account. I have done both many times. A credit card number ensures a merchant nothing as a means of securing some non-existent contract.
Wrong again, its easier to stop things legitimately to a credit card. Not illegitimately.
It's the third or fourth largest internet provider on the globe. They have teams of legal eagles helping them to skirt the edges of legitimacy. They do not need my credit card to feel secure and I doubt that they would explore your illegitimate options in public view.
The lawbreaker or potential lawbreaker here is the consumer (i.e you), not the company.
If you default (thus illegally breaking the contract) on paying your contract from a bank account, it costs them money to sort it. If you default from a credit card, it costs the credit card money to fix it. Not to mention the additonal clerical work it takes to do it from a bank. Given the margins in internet, its not a cost they can easily absorb, while being competative. Hence why they expect you to use a credit card, and they are not really being unreasonable here. I am sure you could find a more expensive provider that takes you cheques/ money out of a bank etc.
