Bill payment costing broadband and phone customers a fortune

It has been claimed that many broadband and phone customers in the UK may be paying a fortune in extra costs because of the way in which they pay their bills.

These days there are many different methods for consumers to pay their various bills, including their broadband and home phone bills. Consumers are able to pay by phone when they receive their bills, pay at a bank or Post Office, or set up a direct debit to have their bills paid automatically each month. Often consumers can also opt for receiving paper bills or having their bills online.

However, whilst the choice and options available to consumers is often welcomed a recent report has shown that many consumers are spending a fortune because of the methods that they are choosing to pay bills such as their broadband and home phone bills, and this is all money that could be easily saved by many of these consumers.

Many people that do not set up a direct debit get charged a substantial amount extra each month. Virgin customers, for example, pay an additional five pounds a month for not paying by direct debit. In addition to this those that ask for paper bills to be sent to them each month get charged extra, with Virgin charging an additional £1.25 a month for this. In total Virgin customers that have paper bills and pay by means other than direct debit are charged extra £6.25 a month, which adds up to a fair amount over the course of a year.

One industry official said: “At a time when everyone is looking to save money, landline users have been shown no mercy. Recent line rental and call rate increases will hit customers hard, but changing the way you receive and pay your bills could help you cut your costs.”