There was a "significant" rise (49 per cent) in consumer complaints concerning mobile phone contracts in 2007, says Consumer Direct.

According to the government-funded telephone and online information and advice service, consumers reported receiving poor service from providers.

Consumer Direct also revealed that 15 per cent of people were complaining about "misleading claims or omissions" in their contracts.

Frank Shepherd, spokesperson for Consumer Direct, said: "Basically people are unhappy with the services they've been provided with.

"We advise that before people get themselves into contracts, they should really understand what they're getting."

He added that consumers should look at how long the contract lasts, what cancellation rights – if any – are available to them and "ask a lot of questions".

Consumer Direct recently claimed that mobile phone contracts are now the second most complained about issue in the UK, after second hand cars.

Mobile phone hardware was the fourth most complained about issue.

Consumer Direct is funded by the Office of Fair Trading and delivered in partnership with Local Authority Trading Standards Services.

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