Consumer experts have revealed how a simple move could reduce your mobile phone bills to just £1 a month.
According to MoneySavingExpert, founded by financial journalist Martin Lewis, around 14 million people are out of contract and potentially "massively overpaying" on their bill. But using an Ofcom initiative could help cut the cost.
By texting the word INFO to 85705 for free, customers can find out if they are out of contract and able to switch provider. Most people should get an instant reply and then will be able to find a SIM-only deal, which could reduce their bill.
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In the latest edition of the MSE newsletter, the team highlighted some of the 'current cheap Sim-only deals with free EU roaming'. The cheapest offer is from Lebara, which uses the Vodafone network, MSE said. It is offering 15GB data a month, unlimited calls and text.
The deal costs just £1-a-month for seven months and then £7.90 per month after that - an average of £3.90 a month over a year. It is a rolling one-month contract so can be cancelled at any time, even after the seven months, reports BirminghamLive.
Meanwhile, iD Mobile - which works via Three's signal - is offering 30GB of data, as well as unlimited calls and texts. The deal costs £4 for the first three months and £8-a-month after that. Customers can also claim a £30 Amazon or Currys voucher. It comes to an average of £4.50-a-month for the 12-month contract.
The MSE newsletter read: "Text INFO to 85075 for FREE to see if you're one of 14 million people out of contract for your mobile, and likely massively overpaying, as you're free to cut costs. It's an initiative from regulator Ofcom to help combat unnecessary loyalty.
"Most get an instant answer (though Three customers need to reply with date of birth to prove identity) unless you're on a 'multiple-phones' contract. Generally though anyone who's not switched in two years is pretty sure to be able to switch.
"Outrageously, those on old contracts may not even have seen what they pay drop once they paid off the handset. This is a trick that should be banned. It isn't, so protect yourself.
"As long as you don't need a new phone, just switch your Sim - the (sometimes virtual) chip in the back of your phone that gives it its identity." MSE also advised people to use its cheap sim comparison to see what deals were available.
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