Martin Lewis Issues Urgent Mobile Bill Warning to Millions
Personal finance expert Martin Lewis has delivered a crucial message to mobile phone users across the United Kingdom, urging immediate action that could save hundreds of pounds annually. During a recent episode of ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show, the founder of MoneySavingExpert highlighted a widespread issue affecting an estimated 14 million Britons who are unknowingly overpaying for their mobile services.
The Simple Four-Letter Text That Could Save You Money
Lewis revealed an astonishingly straightforward method for consumers to check their contract status. He advised sending a free text message with the word 'INFO' to the number 85075. This simple action provides immediate clarity on whether your mobile contract has officially ended, potentially unlocking significant savings opportunities.
"If the response shows an 'Early Termination' or 'Cancellation Charge' of £0, this indicates your contract has expired," explained Lewis. "At this point, you become a free agent in the mobile market and can pursue the most competitive deals available."
Why Millions Are Overpaying Unnecessarily
The finance guru presented compelling evidence of a growing disparity between what existing customers pay versus what new customers receive. "Prices for existing customers have been going up and up," Lewis stated, "while the cost of new customer SIM deals has been plummeting."
To illustrate this dramatic shift, he provided a concrete example: "For 50GB of data two years ago, you'd have been paying around £9 monthly. Today, you can secure the same allowance for as little as £3 per month." This represents potential annual savings exceeding £70 for many consumers.
Practical Steps to Reduce Your Mobile Costs
Lewis outlined a clear three-step strategy for mobile users seeking to reduce their bills:
- Check your contract status by texting 'INFO' to 85075 (Three customers may need to provide their date of birth)
- Visit comparison websites to find the cheapest SIM deals available on your current network's signal
- Switch providers easily by texting 'PAC' to 85075 to obtain your Porting Authorisation Code for number transfer
"The most competitive deals are typically not available directly from major mobile networks," Lewis cautioned. "They tend to appear exclusively on comparison sites and are often short-lived offers."
Important Considerations and Exceptions
While this strategy applies to millions, Lewis noted several important exceptions:
- Those on multi-phone family packages won't receive a response from the 'INFO' text service
- Customers still within their contract period would face termination fees if they switch
- A useful rule of thumb: if you haven't switched providers in two years, you're likely out of contract
Addressing common concerns about signal quality, Lewis reassured viewers: "There are only four mobile networks in the UK. Every other provider piggybacks off one of these four. You can specifically search for deals using your current network's signal."
Where to Find the Best Deals
The MoneySavingExpert founder specifically recommended using comparison tools that allow filtering by network signal. "If you visit the cheap mobile finder on MoneySavingExpert.com," he suggested, "you can conduct this type of search to see what's available on your current network."
Lewis concluded with a powerful call to action: "My main message is this: send that text, determine if you're out of contract, and check what savings are possible before prices increase further. You could save a substantial amount by switching providers."
This timely advice comes as many households face increasing financial pressures, making such straightforward money-saving strategies particularly valuable for millions of mobile users across the country.
