The biggest swindles and hidden fees revealed costing Brits up to £150 a year

MODERN life’s biggest swindles are energy standing charges, shrinkflation and airport drop-off fees, according to Brits. A poll of 2,000 adults uncovered the definitive top 10 list of overpriced and overvalued products and services they were sick of paying through the nose 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 licenses (30%) and council tax (29%) close behind in the ranking of the most irritating everyday costs. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Train tickets (19%) also made the top 10, while phone tariffs (8%) and out-of-bundle costs (7%) also featured among consumers’ biggest mug-off frustrations. 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 in Scotland estimated losing the most to hidden fees and unexpected charges, at £146.70 annually, while Londoners were close behind at £139.30. Worryingly, 78% admitted they often or sometimes paid charges they felt were unfair because they had no practical alternative. A further 72% believed hidden fees and unexpected price hikes had become worse over the last five years. Most read in Money And 52% felt Britain was becoming a place where hidden fees and everyday overcharges were simply part of life. Meanwhile, 40% reckoned businesses had become better at disguising price rises and extra charges, according to OnePoll.com figures. The frustration was changing spending habits too; of those who had ever encountered hidden fees, 38% abandoned an online order altogether after being stung by 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 claw back 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 we’re 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. “That’s exactly the world we’re 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 aren’t just great value for money, but also come with added benefits you’ll actually use.” Top 10 biggest swindles 1. Energy standing charges2. Shrinkflation3. Airport drop-off charges4. TV licensing5. Council tax6. Car parking charges7. Insurance auto-renewal price hikes8. Concert and sports ticket booking fees9. Train tickets10. Paying to sit next to friends or family on flights Comment now