Three, O2, Vodafone and EE customers warned amid mobile phone firm's £420 lock

Customers of major mobile networks including Three, Vodafone, EE and O2 have been warned by money-saving expert Martin Lewis that they could be overpaying, and in response to the situation, one network has stepped up with a promise.

Mobile firm GiffGaff has observed the 8 percent average mid-contract price hikes issued to customers in April and has pledged not to follow suit. The company has committed to maintaining prices throughout the duration of customer contracts, reports the Express.

Currently, Giffgaff offers an all-inclusive package of unlimited minutes, data, and texts for £35 a month, which totals £420 annually. For those seeking less, there's also a £25 monthly plan offering 100GB of data, and for the budget-conscious, a modest £6 monthly deal for 2GB.

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Ash Schofield, CEO of giffgaff, commented on the issue: "Most people don't read small print and these unexpected mid-contract price rises are hitting during a cost of living crisis, when people need clarity and certainty of their monthly spend."

He further added, "giffgaff is committed to no mid-contract price rises. We believe in giving people certainty on price and the freedom to flex their bills up and down each month to suit their budget. It's one of the reasons we launched Good Contracts, to give people a better choice."

Meanwhile, Martin Lewis, speaking on his self-titled The Martin Lewis Podcast for the BBC, shared a success story from a caller who managed to cut his mobile bill from a hefty £52 a month down to just £9, equating to an annual saving of more than £500.

Martin Lewis suggests that this method is only effective if you're not currently bound by a contract period, which typically lasts for the first 12 or 24 months of your existing deal. He estimates that there are approximately 20 million people out of contract at present who could make substantial savings.

To determine if you're out of contract, send a free text message with the word INFO to 85075. Occasionally, simply sending this text can result in a better offer from your current network provider, as they are legally required to provide you with this information and are aware that you're considering other options. Alternatively, you can utilise a price comparison website to locate the most affordable deals.