Thousands of personal mobile phone details sold

Commenting on the sale of mobile phone customer information, James Parker, head of mobiles at moneysupermarket.com, warns: "If people are concerned that their details have been sold on, I would urge people to be wary of unsolicited contact, commonly called ‘slamming'. These calls have become normal practice for many sales companies and this news could only heighten this unscrupulous practice.

"Although at first glance the deals offered by these companies can look quite attractive, they may not be what they seem. We have heard some horror stories where people are purportedly rang by their network to be offered a new deal only to be landed with a new contract - on top of the one they already had. Under Ofcom guidelines the sales company has to tell you which network they are calling on behalf of and the network, so always ask questions. The only beneficial ruling now, is that the networks are obliged to deal with any complaints."