UK mobile phone companies agree to cap charges on stolen devices

The measures are being brought forward by EE, O2, Three, Virgin Media and Vodafone

Mobile phone users will be protected from massive bills when their devices are stolen after five operators agreed to introduce a £100 “liability cap”.
EE, O2, Three, Virgin Media and Vodafone have signed up to the measure.

Some customers have faced charges of thousands of pounds because of usage by thieves. The cap will be activated when a phone is reported lost or stolen within 24 hours of going missing.

The government said it had secured a deal with “real benefits”.

The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) said the measures would bring “much-needed relief” to consumers targeted by phone fraudsters.

Five-figure bills

The CAB said consumers regularly contacted them for help after being hit with five-figure bills, with some as high as £23,000.