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If you've switched TV, mobile, broadband or phone providers in the last six years, there's a very real chance you're owed a little cash and can get it back at speed.
Scores of providers, including Sky, TalkTalk & Three, don't automatically refund any leftover credit, meaning millions of unclaimed credit's available with a two-min phone call.
What's a credit refund?
Ofcom says phone & broadband providers should automatically refund any leftover credit owed when you switch. Few providers do this; the good'ens are BT, Orange and Post Office.
Yet others, scores of others, including Sky, TalkTalk & Three, don’t automatically refund leftover balance, and don't get their bums in gear until you call.
Ofcom has gathered data on the past two years and has discovered £10m lies unclaimed. It's calling on consumers to check if they are owed a refund.
Why you may be owed cash
The money owed could be for having paid for line rental in advance or when you receive a promotional deal, such as a month free, you often still pay and receive a credit at the end of your contract. 
As an example, if you signed up to a 12 months for the price of nine offer, often you still pay for the full 12 months then get a rebate after 12 months. Many people assume that this rebate is automatic, but it's not always.
Finally, if you’ve complained about something you might sometimes get credit added to your account.
How much could you get
This is a new system, so we've no hard data, but we expect it could be between £5-£50.
So whether it's mobile, broadband, landline, TV, if you switched in the last six years, it's worth checking.
How much did you get back?
Help us keep track!Once you've done this, please help us keep track of numbers by clicking one of the following counters ...
How much did you get back?
| Please vote | How many votes? (Updated hourly) |
| Nothing | 279 |
| 1p to £19.99 | 218 |
| Over £20 | 98 |
After you've clicked, please share your experiences in the credit refunds discussion.
We've already had a £144 success!
We launched this guide in early November 2010, and within days the successes flooded in on the forum discussion. Brilliantly, they were bigger than we expected, reaching up into the £100s
Forumite sheppie2305 was one of the biggest reclaims we've had in so far. They said...
"Did as instructed and to my amazement found I have a £144 refund due to me from Talktalk. Well impressed. Thank you Martin"
How to reclaim
Just check our provider-by-provider guide below to find out how to grab your cash. (Thanks to Ofcom for refund info)
Then just call up and ask: "Do I have any leftover credit on my account?"
Even if our guide says 'no action needed' for that provider, do make a quick call if you suspect you're owed credit - just in case you were overlooked.
You can go back six years
You can go back six years in England and Wales or five years in Scotland; these time periods are limited by law. The provider should also hold the data for six years.
Pay less to call
Many of these are 0870, costing up to 10p/min. Search on SayNoTo0870.com's for alternative local rate numbers (read full SayNoTo0870 guide). (Do note the site's crowd sourced, so no one verifies the numbers. Thus a few dud numbers are listed, and, worse, scammers could post fake ones, so be careful if revealing sensitive info.
Plus, most mobile networks charge costly freephone rates for 0800. Go to 0800buster to get a normal number to call, included in any free minutes. Once connected, dial ANY 0800 no. to get through at no extra charge. (Read 0800 Buster for a full guide.)
BT:
Automatic refunds
Is the refund automatic? Yes (always has).
How does it work? The final bill shows if you're in credit.
What do I need to do? No action required. The account's normally credited within five working days of the final bill being sent out.
Contact no. 0800 800150
02:
Not always automaticIs the refund automatic? Yes, for credit of more than £20 (since 2009).
How does it work? The final invoice will show if you're in debit or credit. It should include the number to request a refund.
What do I need to do? Contact O2 for refunds of less than £20. No action required for credit of more than £20.
Phone no. 0844 8090 202 (Monthly) 0844 875 2302 (Iphone)
Orange:
Not always automaticIs the refund automatic? Yes (since 2004).
How does it work? The final bill shows if you're in credit.
What do I need to do? No action required.
Phone no. 07973 100 150 (Mobile) 0844 8738 586 (Broadband)
Sky:
Refunds not automatic
Is the refund automatic? No.
How does it work? Sky writes to customers 45 days after cancellation, informing them of any credit remaining. It also explains how to claim it.
How to reclaim. Contact Sky to request the refund on 0844 2414 141.
Tiscali
Refunds not automaticIs the refund automatic? No
How does it work? For Tiscali, the final bill will show if you're in credit and include number to call for a refund.
How to relaim: Tiscali's been taken over by TalkTalk, so you'll be put through to it. The number's 0871 222 3311
Three:
Refunds not automaticIs the refund automatic? No.
How does it work? Your bill should include details about how to get credit refunded or look on Three's website in the "Bills, payment and your account" section.
What do I need to do? You can call freephone 333 from Three handsets to request a refund.
Phone no. 0843 3733 333
Virgin Media:
Automatic refundsIs the refund automatic? Yes for amounts over £1 (and it always has done).
How does it work? The final bill shows if you're in credit.
What do I need to do? Contact Virgin Media for amounts under £1.
Phone no. 0845 454 111
Virgin Mobile:
Not always automatic
Is the refund automatic? No, unless you cancel within 28 days of signing up.
How does it work? The final bill will show if you're in credit.
What do I need to do? You need to call Virgin Mobile to request a refund. (Though it says refunds will be automated from Dec 2010)
Phone no. 0845 600 0789
Plusnet:
Not always automaticIs the refund automatic? No
How does it work? The refund is only automatic if you change provider using a MAC (migration authorisation code) key. This is the code required to change internet subscribers rather than cancelling an account. For more information see Plusnet.
Also credits over £100 will not be automatically refunded. Customers are informed of any balance via e-mail and should check to see if there is an outstanding credit.
How to reclaim: Call 0845 140 0200/ 0845 140 6002 (if switched providers)
Vodafone:
Not AlwaysIs the refund automatic? Yes if direct debit
How does it work? Refunds since 2008: Automatic if you pay via direct debit. If you pay in any other way refunds you should call customer services to reclaim.
Refunds for pre-2008: No refund for bills paid in that time were automatic, so even if you were a direct debit payer and believe you had a credit left on your account, then call customer services and have them check your account.
How to reclaim: Call 08700 700191
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