A popular online money trick advises those stuck on expensive broadband contracts to claim they are ‘moving to Hull’ to get out of paying early exit fees. Hull has a single broadband provider – KCOM – due to a historical quirk. This means that other firms cannot service consumers who are moving to Hull and must let them leave without charging fees.
Fears of fines
However, money expert Aaron Peake from credit score group CredAbility says that as the trick gains traction, providers may begin to check up on those using this ruse and could charge the fees and even call in debt collectors.
He said: “It might sound like a clever workaround, but if you’re not genuinely relocating, you’re taking a big gamble. Your provider could ask for proof, and if they catch you out, you may be liable for the full contract cost or even face debt collection. It’s not worth the stress.”
Broadband charges rising
However, Peake added that with broadband costs rising and many struggling to afford their broadband, it is worth checking whether there are other ways to take down costs. Once a customer is out of contract, he says, the average household could save £235 per year by switching.
One of the cheapest deals on the market at the moment is available to those trialling a Giffgaff £10 per month deal for speeds of up to 500Mbps. If this is rolled out countrywide, it could be far cheaper than what is available at present.
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If you find your broadband expensive, it is worth checking whether you are still in contract and changing if you are not. You could also find out if there are exit fees and how much these might be to leave immediately – it may be that you can still save even with these taken into account.
You can compare broadband prices at websites such as Uswitch, MoneySuperMarket and Broadband Choices.
