In my case, the grief arose from the fact that, for historical reasons, the licence is in my other half's name (different surname too). So for many years, each time I bought a TV or freeview box, the retailer would pass on my details (as they are required to do), they would fail to find a licence in my name at the address, and the threatening letters would start arriving. I was told by some that the best thing to do was to give the retailers a false name & address, but I refused to do so on principle.
Come to think of it, I've actually bought quite a few TV reception devices online in the past year or so, and haven't had nasty letters (well none from TV licensing, at least). I wonder if the online retailers have to pass on customer details to TV licensing the same way High Street shops do? Or, dare I hope... have TV licensing finally given up on me?