How to avoid phone bill shock

It's horrible to be hit by an unexpected bill.

There are ways to prevent getting a shocking telephone bill. 

 Here are some tips to help:

1. ‘Unlimited’ data can result in high phone bills. Many people exceed their data allowance, with even ‘unlimited’ packages often having hidden limits on a customer's data usage. Reducing your data usage by turning off background data could help lower your phone bill charges

2. Your phone contract could be wrong for you. Research has shown that 8 out of 10 people are on the wrong mobile phone tariff, with a majority rarely using their full text, minute or data allowance. Analyse your usage and see if another, cheaper package could better suit your needs

3. Set up a spend cap. Some telecoms providers allow you to limit usage outside your monthly allowance. This can help prevent roaming charges from costing you dearly and give you better control over your final phone bill

4. Ensure you are not using data roaming when abroad. Leaving data on when you are overseas could result in enormous bills on your return. Attempt to either not use data at all or as little as possible when away to avoid large costs

5. Decide whether pay-as-you-go or pay monthly contracts better suit your usage. For those who rarely use their phone, a pay-as-you-go contract could be more cost-effective

6. Be careful when making international calls. Especially living in Jersey, it is easy to forget that some calls may be classified as international and carry extra charges. You may consider other methods of communication, such as Skype or Facetime, to avoid international fees on your bill