Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has issued a warning to everybody with a broadband internet contract.
The money expert has returned with his Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV on Tuesday, reports the Liverpool Echo. The January 10 airing showed the guru offer advice on travel insurance and all things finance.
The show has been off air for a number of weeks, due to the Christmas period and the World Cup. And before his show aired, Martin took to social media to preview what the upcoming episode would entail.
READ MORE - Martin Lewis explains how to spend £1 and save hundreds in urgent advice
Martin Lewis explained the show would include updates about "the bill situation, broadband and water bills".
He added: "Broadband is very worrying, many have clauses allowing them to increase prices mid contract by CPI or RPI + 4 per cent. That could mean in March 15 per cent+ rises for many."
Fans with concerns were quick to respond on Twitter, as one user said: "If that is the case then wow, we should be allowed to quit contract without fees."
Another added: "Omg thanks for letting us know. Is there anyway we can avoid this?"
A third said: "Everything's going up but wages... joke".
Martin then explained during his ITV Money Show on Tuesday evening: “If they enact them this year, and the likelihood is they will, this could mean 15 per cent-ish hikes this spring.
“This usually happens in April for most of the major broadband providers, which is going to be another hit for many people. If you’re paying £40, that’s £6 a month extra.
"Even switchers’ deals will probably do this but of course, it’s £6 a month extra on £40 or if you pay £20 a month, it’s only £3 a month extra.”
To help lower costs, Martin urged households to check if they can slash their broadband bills now.
Those out of contract have been advised by the money expert to checking prices elsewhere to see what other deals are available.
Next, you should call up your current provider and see if you can haggle them down to match the best price you've seen with another company.
A recent MoneySavingExpert poll revealed an over 75 per cent success rate when haggling with TalkTalk, Virgin and Sky, plus “high success rates at many other broadband providers too”.
Martin urged his viewers: "Switching... don’t worry about it too much - I can’t promise it will be smooth every time - it’s only two hours-ish of downtime.
“It’s your new firm who sorts it out for you and they’ll cancel your old provider. Some of you… don’t want to switch, you like where you are, in which case: haggle.” Martin continued: “As a loyal customer, the first thing I would do is, I’d get on the phone and I’d say: I’ve seen what you’re charging new customers.
“I’d make sure you’ve seen what other providers are charging in your area, because it’s postcode dependent… and say I’m not willing to pay that amount, can you offer me a better deal?
"If they say no… you say I want to go through to customer disconnections… this is where they can do the big deals.
“Always be polite and if they don’t give you that price, I would be pretty annoyed and I’d want to ditch and switch and go elsewhere.”
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