GOOD CALL
Martin Lewis warns everyone to check their mobile phone bills NOW – as millions ‘ripped off’ & overpaying £100s a year
And, how to check which provider can offer you the biggest savings on your preferred network
MARTIN Lewis has urged 14MILLION Brits entitled to better deals to check their phone bills - are you being ripped off?
The Money Saving Expert revealed the easy and simple three steps to slash your monthly costs.
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Mobile phone holders have been pummeled by soaring bills, however, your hard earned cash can be protected by switching providers.
In his MSE newsletter, Martin Lewis explained the no-fuss method to bag the best deal.
I've just saved £576 from switching my broadband. Thank you so much
MSE newsletter
He wrote: "Broadband & mobile firms usually write into their contracts that they'll increase the cost each April, by usually 3%, ABOVE inflation.
"This is bad for consumers."
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The MSE dubbed it "unfair" as the hikes are fixed - which means they don't correlate to costs.
So, now is the perfect time to check if you could be claiming a better deal.
First, find out if you are out of contract and free to switch by texting INFO to 85075.
The message will cost nothing and an estimated 14million people are already entitled to the offer.
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Created by Ofcom, this scheme makes companies tell you if you are out of contract.
Sometimes customers will need to provide basic details such as date of birth.
Then, if you discover you're forking out over £8 per month and out of contract, change your provider.
This is because at present, mobile holders can get 100GB data for the equivalent of £8 per month.
Mr Lewis directed aspiring money savers to the Cheap Sim Finder, which helps track down the best deals.
If you're hesitant to change because of varying signal strengths, the MSE tool allows you filter by network.
Bare in mind, there are only actually four UK networks; EE, O2, Three and Vodafone.
Three Unlimited mins and text newbies' Sim-only deals
Source; MoneySavingExpert.com
iD Mobile
- Three's signal.
- They offer new customers £5 per month for three months, then £10 per month.
- You can also claim a £10 Amazon voucher.
- 100GB per month for '£7.92 per month'
TalkMobile
- Vodafone's no-frills provider.
- They offer £7.95 per month, but you can claim a £20 Amazon voucher.
- 50GB per moth for '£6.29 for month'
Lebara
- Vodafone's signal.
- They offer FIVE months at £1.49, then £7.90 per month.
- It's a one-month contract, so you can cancel any time.
- 15GB per moth for '£5.23 per month'
A savvy Martin Lewis fan wrote in and said: "I texted EE as you recently suggested.
"I discovered I'd been out of contract for nearly three years, paying over £27 per month for 20GB of data.
"I just took out a new 12 month contract for 12GB data for £6 per month, saving me a whopping £21+ per month (over £252 per year)."
Meanwhile, if you're concerned about losing your number, there's an easy system in place to keep it.
Simply text PAC to 65075 to receive your Porting Authorisation Code.
This gets sent to your new provider and they will transfer your old number across, usually within 24 hours.
SWITCHING BROADBAND
The MSE also urged people to check how much they are paying per month for broadband.
While most people shell out between £40 to £65 per month, there's no need to be spending more than £30, according to Mr Lewis.
By switching provider, Brits could be saving £100s, and the handy Broadband Comparison tool can be used to help navigate the best deals.
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One man wrote in and said: "I've just saved £576 from switching my broadband. Thank you so much."
Some of the companies included in the round up of best newbie deals included Virgin Media, Vodafone and Sky.
They offer 132Mb fibre & line for '£20.95 per month', 67Mb fibre & line for '£21.84 per month' and 500Mb fibre to the premises (and digital line) for '£26.45 per month', respectively.
ASK FOR MORE
However, you don't always need to switch provider to nab a discount.
Sometimes your current company will offer a deal if you're nearly out of contract.
But, you have to ask for it.
One woman emailed in and explained: "Thank you for the haggling information.
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"I'm with Virgin Media and my bill was going to increase to £64 next month.
"After calling them and following the MSE tips, they've offered me a new price of £26 per month, saving me £684 over the contract term."
MSE tips for lowering bills with current provider
Do your research and locate the cheapest price elsewhere.
- Make sure you know what deals are available by using the Cheap Sim Finder and Broadband Comparison tools.
- Take this information to your provider so you can ask them to match it.
Call your provider
- Tell them you would like to stay but you can't afford the prices - and that you've seen cheaper options.
- Ask things such as: "Is this the best you can do?" or "This is the maximum I can pay according to my budget."
- Remain calm and polite.
Tell them to put you through to disconnections
- If you're not happy with the response they give you, you can be put through to something known as retentions.
- This department can come up with some huge discounts in order to get you to stay.
- Tell them everything you told the original call handler and see if they can offer a deal.
Don't panic
- The provider will not automatically disconnect you if you ask to be put through to disconnections.
- If you are worried, simply say you need to call them back, to check with your wife/husband/anyone else.
Switch
- If your provider simply can't offer any reduced prices and you have found a better option elsewhere - there's no harm in switching.
- You could save £100s.