Telephone and internet providers are ripping off Scots in theirown homes, a charity has warned.
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) said many people were "vulnerableto exploitation" because they were not sure of how their servicesworked.
They said advisers across Scotland had reported a significantnumber of complaints from customers who felt they had been takenadvantage of.
Around 8000 cases related to telecommunications were reportedbetween 2009 to 2010.
The charity said early evidence from 2010 to 2011 reportsindicate the trend is increasing.
The charity said no laws had been broken in most cases, butclaimed providers were exploiting customer confusion over theircontracts.
The CAS received complaints about mobile phones being mis-sold,with unclear terms and conditions and irresponsible sellingtechniques.
Clients also reported "unfit" billing systems for landlines andclients are paying for internet services they did not sign up forand, in some cases, do not have the facilities to use.
Cases included a client from Glasgow with Asperger's syndromebeing sold a broadband contract on the doorstep. He was unable towork and was unable to afford the payments, but was billedpound(s)177.85 for two months of the contract and connection charge.
A 74-year-old woman from Perthshire said she received a bill froma provider she had never heard of. She contacted them to resolve theproblem and was later sent a disconnection bill.
CAS chief executive Lucy McTernan said: "Our evidence shows thatthe pace of change and the way the industry works has left manypeople vulnerable to exploitation."
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