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Illegal Handset charges

  • August 4, 2026
  • 5 replies
  • 32 views

Discoved today that unless you changes the details of your contract at the end of a 24 month contract, ID mobile will continue to charge you for the handset that you have already paid for after 24 monthly payments. I would have thought that the handset chargesd would be stopped automatically after the 24th payment as agreed but have been told that unless I change the details the charge remains the same. I have voted with my feel and moved to LEBARA. What shoddy business practice that is. I just wondered in any one year how much money is made from overcharging people in this way. I have complained officially in writing but am not confident of a proper resolution from a company that is quite happy to continue to take money for handsets already paid for.

5 replies

  • Author
  • New Contributor
  • August 4, 2026

some additional context; Based on publicly available consumer guidance, UK mobile providers are expected to stop charging for handset repayments once the device has been fully paid off. Continuing to charge for a completed handset agreement has been criticised by regulators in the past, and Ofcom has previously taken action against similar practices. My experience outlined above appears inconsistent with the principles of fair billing and transparent contract terms.


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  • iD Mobile Employee
  • August 4, 2026

Hi ​@Lonnie 

 

I'm sorry to hear that you're unhappy with your experience.
 
When a contract is approaching the end of its minimum term, we send an end-of-contract notification to make customers aware that their agreement is coming to an end and to explain the options available. At that point, it's the customer's responsibility to contact us if they'd like to cancel, upgrade, or move to a different plan.
 
This is also set out in our Terms & Conditions:
 
Clause 3.1:
 
"This Agreement will continue for the Minimum Period and will continue to apply after that unless and until either you or we terminate it in accordance with Clause 8 below or otherwise in accordance with a right expressly set out in this Agreement."
 
Clause 8.12:
 
"At the end of your Minimum Period, this Agreement will continue on these existing terms until you tell us that you'd like to terminate your Agreement."
 
This means that your agreement doesn't automatically end when the initial minimum term finishes. Unless notice is given, the contract continues on the same terms that were agreed to at the start of the agreement, and monthly billing continues accordingly.
 
If you're still within the cancellation process and would like assistance, we can help explain the options available. Alternatively, customers who remain with iD Mobile can contact our Sales Team to discuss a plan change or upgrade once they've reached the end of their minimum term.
 
We're sorry to hear you've decided to leave and appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.

 

Thank you,

 

Zandile M

The iD Mobile Team 


  • Author
  • New Contributor
  • August 4, 2026

That is legalise and not a great attempt at legitimising over charging. You are trying to justify over charging, not a great look to be honest 


Gemma M
iD Mobile Employee
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  • iD Mobile Employee
  • August 5, 2026

Hi ​@Lonnie,

 

I've just sent you a private message to help get this sorted.

 

To find it, click your profile picture in the top-right corner and select ‘Private Messages’.

 

You can also use this direct link to your inbox: https://community.idmobile.co.uk/inbox/overview

 

We'll speak to you there.

 

Thanks,

 

Gemma M
The iD Mobile Social Media Team


  • Author
  • New Contributor
  • August 7, 2026

Thanks for private messages. As I understand it you use your terms and conditions to legitimise some sharp practice. Tell me how much money you make from customers by overcharging them for handsets that have been paid off already. I suspect it's a lot