• [Dailystar Icon]
• Life & Style
• Money
• Money

'Mugged-off' Brits fume at 'hidden fees' - but say it's 'the norm'

Brits are frustrated with overpriced and overvalued services, a survey has found.

[Senior couple paying bills at kitchen table]

More than three-quarters of Brits admit they have paid charges they felt were unfair(Image: Getty)

A poll of 2,000 adults uncovered that, worryingly, 78% admitted they often or sometimes paid charges they felt were unfair because they had no practical alternative. The survey found Brits definitive list of the top 10 most overpriced products they have to pay for.

Four in 10 (39%) named energy standing charges among the country's worst money-grabbers, while 33% pointed the finger at shrinkflation. Meanwhile, 30% were fed up with airport drop-off fees, with TV licences (30%) and council tax (29%) close behind in the ranking of the most irritating everyday costs. Train tickets (19%) also made the cut, while phone tariffs (8%) and out-of-bundle costs (7%) also featured among consumers biggest mug-off frustrations.

[Man with 'mug' written on his head with a packet of crisps]

Shrinkflation was rated as the second biggest swindle Brits have to deal with(Image: PinPep)

The research was commissioned by iD Mobile as part of its Mugsville campaign, which aims to highlight everyday price rises, sneaky charges and overpriced contracts.

The study also found hidden fees, unexpected charges and surcharges cost the average adult an estimated 126 a year. Those up in Scotland estimated losing the most to hidden fees and unexpected charges, at 146.70 a year, while Londoners were close behind at 139.30.

A further 72% believed hidden fees and unexpected price hikes had become worse over the last five years, and 52% felt Britain was becoming a place where hidden fees and everyday overcharges were simply a part of every day life.

Meanwhile, exactly four in 10 believe businesses had become better at disguising price rises and extra charges, according to OnePoll.com figures.

The frustration was changing spending habits too, as of those who had ever encountered hidden fees, 38% abandoned an online order altogether after being hit with an unexpected fee at checkout.

The research also revealed 55% of those who checked their mobile phone bill had been surprised by an unexpected charge at least once.

If they could reclaim the money lost to hidden fees each year, almost half would put it into savings, while three in 10 would use it to cover everyday household bills.

Lewis Henry from iD Mobile, which offers inclusive roaming in 50 destinations and free data rollover as standard, added: Hidden fees and surprise charges have become something many of us simply expect to encounter, whether were booking travel, paying household bills, or shopping online.

Our research shows consumers feel increasingly resigned to paying more and getting less in return, and most of us have simply stopped questioning it. Thats exactly the world were exposing with Mugsville, a place where hidden fees or high prices are just the norm.

We believe Britain deserves better, which is why we ensure our plans arent just great value for money, but also come with added benefits youll actually use.

Top 10 biggest swindles

1. Energy standing charges
2. Shrinkflation
3. Airport drop-off charges
4. TV licensing
5. Council tax
6. Car parking charges
7. Insurance auto-renewal price hikes
8. Concert and sports ticket booking fees
9. Train tickets
10. Paying to sit next to friends or family on flights

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.