2 December 2008
Around half of mobile phone users are missing out on up to £200 in cash by throwing away their old handsets or leaving them lying unwanted in the bottom of a drawer.
This is the conclusion a new survey by Foneback, which reveals that 23% of consumers simply get rid of unused phones, while 28% keep them, even though they have no use for them.
Foneback points out that with Christmas on the way and the economic downturn putting a squeeze on household budgets, trading in second-hand mobile phones could be a good way to earn some extra money.
Mark Harrison, director of the company, said: "It's crazy that a lot of people out there are still just chucking their phones in the bin when they no longer have any use for them. Not only is this bad news for the environment, it's also throwing money away."
Consumers who do dispose of unwanted mobile phones should make sure they erase sensitive information from the handset.
According to research from BT, the University of Glamorgan and Edith Cowan University, at least one in five second-hand mobiles still contains personal data.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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