Protecting Yourself from Unwelcome Mobile Phone Costs

Strategic Insights -

Martin Lewis, a renowned money expert, has highlighted the importance of protecting oneself from unwanted mobile phone costs and theft. With statistics showing a 50% increase in thefts directly from people between December 2023 and 2024, particularly targeting mobile phones, it's crucial to take proactive measures. Moreover, around 14 million people in the UK are out of contract, meaning they are likely overpaying for their mobile phone contracts. To address this, Lewis advises checking if one's contract is up for renewal and exploring better deals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a 50% increase in thefts directly from people, with 483,000 incidents in the year, and mobile phones being the most commonly stolen item.
  • Approximately 14 million people in the UK are out of contract, meaning they are likely getting a sub-optimal return on their payments.
  • To check if one's contract is up for renewal, texting 'INFO' for free to 85075 will prompt a response from the mobile provider with information about the contract.
  • Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert website offers a handy tool to find the best mobile phone deal, allowing users to filter by data usage, contract length, and more.
  • Top picks for deals include those from Lebara, iD Mobile, and O2, especially for those paying off their devices and paying for a mobile phone deal in one contract.
  • Writing on his weekly newsletter, Lewis highlighted the importance of self-policing against being overcharged by mobile phone providers.
  • "People are often shocked by the huge savings reported into my TV show on mobiles," Lewis wrote. "Yet it's often as they've fallen for the same catch, and it's one everyone needs be aware of."
  • To protect against phone theft, Lewis advises disabling preview notifications, being aware of 'shoulder surfing,' saving the phone's IMEI number, setting up tracking apps, enabling biometrics, and turning on 'stolen protection.'
  • The most important thing to check when ending a mobile phone contract, according to Lewis, is to confirm whether one is entitled to cancel the contract without incurring any additional costs or penalties.

Statistics:

  • A 50% increase in thefts directly from people between December 2023 and 2024, with mobile phones being the most commonly stolen item.
  • Around 483,000 incidents of this type of theft in the year, as per the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
  • Approximately 14 million people in the UK are out of contract, meaning they are likely getting a sub-optimal return on their payments.
  • Texting 'INFO' for free to 85075 can prompt a response from the mobile provider with information about the contract.
  • Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert website offers a handy tool to find the best mobile phone deal.

Sources:

  • Office for National Statistics (ONS)
  • Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert website
  • Good Morning Britain/ITV
  • PA