2015

Mobile phone users who send a smiley or sad face, or any type of picture icon in a text, could be stung with massive charges – one MoneySaver told us her son racked up a £209 bill.

O2 says it's fixed a 'network equipment' problem which left some users unable to make calls, send texts and access the internet on Monday evening. But if you've lost out financially as a result of the issue, complain and ask for a reimbursement.

Students heading home from university for the summer could be able to claim a £36 refund for the unused part of their TV licence. They should also diarise to close or switch any energy or broadband accounts.

Changing a name, address or job title on a car or home insurance policy, or cancelling it completely, can result in costly administration fees of up to £55, but you should challenge excessive fees if you think they're unfair.

Martin Lewis, founder and editor of MoneySavingExpert.com, has joined a 'challenger panel' in a bid to make radical improvements to the Money Advice Service (MAS), after an independent review criticised the way it is run.

Shoppers can now get legally binding decisions on complaints from Ombudsman Services if they get nowhere with the retailer itself, although they'll only be able to complain about members of the voluntary scheme.

American Express (Amex) customers who currently have, or have had, its My Essentials and Back on Track policies with additional card protection in the past, will be refunded the premiums paid for the worthless add-on cover. 

Northern Rock mortgage customers with unsecured loans of between £25,000 and £30,000 may get redress for historical paperwork blunders if the decision of an appeal heard last month goes their way.

Payday lender Wonga is launching a new advertising campaign featuring 'hard-working dinner ladies and mums' after ditching its controversial puppet ads.