Pubs with alarm systems advised to check phone bills for premium rate charges

The warning comes after a Surrey licensee discovered that he has forked out more than £3,000 for premium rate phone calls over the past four years.

Richard Fletcher, who has been a Young’s tenant at the Grey Horse in Kingston-upon-Thames since 2000, explained he was being charged 87p every time he set and unset his ADT alarm, adding £50 to £70 to his monthly phone bill.

ADT has reduced Fletcher’s line rental for a year and put him on a Freephone rate, but he was told this would cost £99 a year and he is upset not to have been alerted of the call rate earlier.

“They should say from the start that it is going to be a premium rate,” said Fletcher. “Every time we have to go downstairs after hours we are being charged 87p.

“We have gone through some rough times and something like this just doesn’t help. Pubs need every penny they can get nowadays. I would advise all other licensees to check their phone bills very closely.”

David Myers, regional managing director — South Region, ADT Fire & Security, said: “Whilst our customer contract terms preclude us from being able to discuss the specific security details of our customers, we would like to offer our reassurances that we are working directly with the customer to reach a resolution to the situation as quickly as possible.

“ADT has robust procedures in place for providing the best possible customer experience to ensure customers always feel reassured that we are dedicated to helping protect what means most to them.”