As the guy in my family who writes for WIRED, I often act as tech support. When relatives want to know what phone to buy or why the Wi-Fi sucks in the back room, they ask me. I recently discovered that an elderly family member was being charged more than double what I pay each month for internet service that was 30 times slower. After investigating, I found they were paying well over the odds for mobile data, too. The same carrier was charging them significantly more than me, even though I was getting four times the data. My relative had no idea that they were getting a bad deal, and they were reluctant to call, partly because of previous negative experiences and partly because they struggle to hear properly on the phone.
For most folks, finding the best deal means wading through a minefield of attractive introductory offers and enticements. But opting to do nothing often means paying more. Anyone lacking the digital skills or willpower to shop around gets ripped off.
Overselling is commonplace, loyalty is punished rather than rewarded, and old and vulnerable folks bear the brunt of this cynical exploitation. If your relatives are lucky enough to have you in their lives, here's how you can help.
