Net phone charge was a bombshell

AS smartphones are getting smarter, loads of customers are being left seriously out of pocket, I hear.

A reader called Guy contacted me this week about a dispute he is having over his mobile phone bill.

Every month Guy’s bill is around the same amount – but in March it rocketed by £149.99.

He contacted Vodafone but was informed the additional amount was not to do with phone usage but competitions he entered.

They told Guy his way forward is to take it up with whoever runs the competitions.

Here’s what I explained: How the charge is created This is what is known as a phone paid service, which is the generic name for goods and services you buy and are charged to your phone bill or pay-as-you-go credit.

It happens with dating sites, voting on telly shows, charity donations, music tracks and games you can buy online. They often ask for your number then charge you via your mobile provider. Is this legal? Yes, as long as you genuinely ordered the goods or services and the charges were explained to you, either verbally or in writing. Who is responsible? Your mobile phone provider is responsible for explaining what the charges are and for providing contact details for the provider.

For Guy, that is the firm running the competition. The service must be full transparency in provider must explain the service relation to charging. you used, the charges levied and Making a complaint provide proof you agreed to take out the service or buy the goods. The rules