Personal finance expert Martin Lewis has advised iPhone and Android users to send a four-letter word via text to check if they are among 14 million UK mobile customers overpaying on their bills. In a recent YouTube video, the ITV and BBC presenter said millions of people are still paying inflated prices on contracts that are no longer binding.
How to check your contract status
Mr Lewis recommended texting 'INFO' for free to 85075. He explained: "There's a way to find out if you can save on your mobile bill just by typing five digits into your phone. All you got to do is text the word info info to 85075. This is a service the regulator mandates mobile phone networks to offer. It's totally free. They then have to reply with whether you have any early termination or early cancellation charges."
He added: "If it says you don't, so 0 early termination, it means one of 14 million people who are out of contract and you're therefore free to ditch and switch and the vast majority of people who are out of contract are seriously overpaying on their phones. So what do you then do? Well, just go on to a comparison site like money-saving experts cheap simfinder and see what's available."
Special notes for certain providers
Mr Lewis noted that customers on Three, Smarty, or ID Mobile will be asked for their date of birth as an ID check when they text. He also said the service cannot work for multiple-phone contracts, where more than one handset is included in the same agreement.
Should the "Early Termination" or "Cancellation Charge" show £0, indicating the contract has expired, the MoneySavingExpert founder advised customers to "go to a cheap SIM comparison site", where numerous providers offer equivalent SIM allowances at significantly reduced costs.
Three-step approach to savings
Mr Lewis outlined a three-step approach for mobile customers. He said: "14 million people are out of contract on their mobile phone bill which means you are free to switch." He revealed the method to discover if you are among those out of contract: "You text 'info' for free to 85075 to check."
He noted that Three customers would subsequently need to provide their date of birth. Those still in contract would be required to pay an early termination charge, but otherwise individuals are able to switch: "You're a free agent - you can go and get the cheapest deals, you can cut your costs."
He added that once people choose to switch and wish to retain their number, they simply need to text PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) to 85075 and supply that code to their new provider, who will then transfer the number. According to the MSE founder, the most competitive deals aren't secured by approaching major operators directly - instead he suggested that out-of-contract customers should visit comparison sites.
Mr Lewis has previously highlighted how the cost of obtaining a new SIM has dropped considerably. He said earlier: "Prices have been going up and up. At the same time the cost of new customer SIM deals have been plummeting. For 50gb two years ago you'd have been paying £9. Now you can get it as cheap as about £3 a month."
