A number of broadband customers are embarking on lengthy contracts without reading the terms and conditions of service, it has been claimed.

In a new report by moneysupermarket.com, it was stated that many customers are incurring extra charges on top of their monthly bill as a result of failing to take into account all costs associated with broadband.

Common causes of additional charges include set-up fees, customer support costs, non-direct debit payment levies and excessive usage penalties.

The report found that around a quarter of customers merely skim-read their contract, while a further eight per cent admitted to not looking it over at all.

Rob Barnes, head of mobile and broadband at the firm, added: "With so many offers out there it's easy to be blinded by the headlines and enter into a contract without thinking about what it entails. Remember, if something looks too good to be true, it probably is."

Another recent report by moneysupermarket.com has found that 17 per cent of broadband customers had received an inaccurate bill in the last three months, although half of these people had failed to look their bill over.