It can pay to be vigilant about your mobile bill
QI BOUGHT my wife a mobile phone contract at T-Mobile – now EE – 10 years ago. It was easier to put both handset and deal in my name. After many contract alterations, it remains in my name but it’s her phone. I still pay the bills each month.
I rarely scrutinise the account (yes, I know I should!) but for years there has been no problem.
Then, my wife suddenly noticed a series of text messages informing her that she had signed up to something called Viddigo last October. Ever since, it had been taking £3 a week from my bank account via EE but I had not noticed. She said she had no idea how this happened.
Neither of us understands what Viddigo actually provides for the money – it’s substantially more than subscribing to Amazon Prime or Netflix. Can you help? John T
AYOU are not alone. Others with similar Viddigo experiences have posted their difficulties on EE’s website. The £3 a week charge appears on bills as “services from other companies – UK” – hardly informative, although the text messages offer the chance to opt out.
The Viddigo website says: “Viddigo channels the best of global entertainment directly to you. Enjoy high-quality video on demand and streaming TV, all in the palm of your hand! Get today’s sports highlights, latest fashion trends, celebrity gossip, educational videos, cartoons and so much more delivered straight to your mobile!”
You only find the actual content when you sign up. You can cancel without charge if you are quick – assuming you are aware of joining.
Viddigo’s owner is a Netherlands registered company. EE says it collects a small percentage of each £3 charged, adding the matter is outside its control – as your wife must have signed up because there is a two-stage process. Its best solution was for her to text “STOP”.
Viddigo says the sign-up came from a “promotional page that you visited”.
Which? suggested emailing Viddigo (there are no other contact details online), saying whatever happened, your wife as the non bill payer did not have the permission of the bill payer (you). Permission is a legal UK requirement.
Viddigo responded quickly paying back the £66 taken via PayPal.