Menu
20/12/2007
Mobile Phone Cashback Deals Criticised
Many mobile phone cashback deals are rip-offs which should be banned, consumer group Which? has claimed.
The deals, where customers pay upfront for a handset and contract and then claim some or all of their money back over a period, sound great, Which? says, but in reality they warn they can be "highly dubious".
Which? says that they have received thousands of calls from customers complaining that they are unable to claim their cashback.
Reasons for this include that the terms of the deal make it complicated to claim or that the firm goes bust.
In July, five phone networks - O2, Vodafone, 3, Orange and T-Mobile - pledged to keep a watch over these offers when they signed up to a voluntary code of practice, which was endorsed by industry regulator Ofcom and was introduced to reduce the number of people missing out on their cashback.
However, Which? said that it checked 10 mobile phone dealers' websites in October and found offers on six of them, which breached the code.
Which? Online editor Malcolm Cole said: "We think mobile phone cashback deals that make customers jump through hoops to get their money should be banned. If cashback is offered, it should be automatic.
"Thousands of people have already lost money through these dodgy deals, so don't touch them with a bargepole. Ring in the New Year with a cheap mobile phone deal that doesn't include cashback."
(KMcA)
The deals, where customers pay upfront for a handset and contract and then claim some or all of their money back over a period, sound great, Which? says, but in reality they warn they can be "highly dubious".
Which? says that they have received thousands of calls from customers complaining that they are unable to claim their cashback.
Reasons for this include that the terms of the deal make it complicated to claim or that the firm goes bust.
In July, five phone networks - O2, Vodafone, 3, Orange and T-Mobile - pledged to keep a watch over these offers when they signed up to a voluntary code of practice, which was endorsed by industry regulator Ofcom and was introduced to reduce the number of people missing out on their cashback.
However, Which? said that it checked 10 mobile phone dealers' websites in October and found offers on six of them, which breached the code.
Which? Online editor Malcolm Cole said: "We think mobile phone cashback deals that make customers jump through hoops to get their money should be banned. If cashback is offered, it should be automatic.
"Thousands of people have already lost money through these dodgy deals, so don't touch them with a bargepole. Ring in the New Year with a cheap mobile phone deal that doesn't include cashback."
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 June 2009
Millions In Seized Assets To Be Paid Back To Communities
A new pilot fund to give local people a direct say on how the ill-gotten gains of criminals can be used to benefit their communities in the fight against crime and antisocial behaviour was launched today by Home Secretary Alan Johnson. The £4 million Community Cashback scheme will be funded by money and assets seized from wealthy criminal kingpins.
Millions In Seized Assets To Be Paid Back To Communities
A new pilot fund to give local people a direct say on how the ill-gotten gains of criminals can be used to benefit their communities in the fight against crime and antisocial behaviour was launched today by Home Secretary Alan Johnson. The £4 million Community Cashback scheme will be funded by money and assets seized from wealthy criminal kingpins.
08 October 2008
'Ofgem Lets Down Some Of The Poorest In Society' Says NHF
Ofgem has failed some of the poorest customers in the country and should be 'scrapped' says the National Housing Federation (NHF), in response to the energy regulator's initial report on its energy market probe.
'Ofgem Lets Down Some Of The Poorest In Society' Says NHF
Ofgem has failed some of the poorest customers in the country and should be 'scrapped' says the National Housing Federation (NHF), in response to the energy regulator's initial report on its energy market probe.
29 January 2015
Sky To Launch New Mobile Phone Service
A new mobile phone service is to be launched by pay-TV company Sky in partnership Telefonica, O2's Spanish parent company. Sky, adding mobile to its internet, landline and TV, will use Telefonica UK's wireless network to offer the new service.
Sky To Launch New Mobile Phone Service
A new mobile phone service is to be launched by pay-TV company Sky in partnership Telefonica, O2's Spanish parent company. Sky, adding mobile to its internet, landline and TV, will use Telefonica UK's wireless network to offer the new service.
27 February 2008
Most People Believe Mobile Phone Use Affects Driving
Three quarters of people believe that drivers who use their mobile phones are needlessly risking their own, and other people's, safety, research published by the government has revealed. A YouGov poll carried out for the Department for Transport found that 60% of people said they felt 'annoyed' when they saw a motorist using a mobile phone.
Most People Believe Mobile Phone Use Affects Driving
Three quarters of people believe that drivers who use their mobile phones are needlessly risking their own, and other people's, safety, research published by the government has revealed. A YouGov poll carried out for the Department for Transport found that 60% of people said they felt 'annoyed' when they saw a motorist using a mobile phone.
15 October 2009
Drugs 'Baron' Caged
The ringleader of a criminal gang that ran a network supplying millions of pounds worth of drugs across West London has been stopped in his tracks following an intelligence led operation by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service Sheldon Pommell, 25, from Acton, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment at Kingston Crown Court this week after be
Drugs 'Baron' Caged
The ringleader of a criminal gang that ran a network supplying millions of pounds worth of drugs across West London has been stopped in his tracks following an intelligence led operation by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service Sheldon Pommell, 25, from Acton, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment at Kingston Crown Court this week after be
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be dry with a few cloud breaks developing later in the night. Feeling quite mild although breezy again in the north with brisk southwest winds. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
