BT will hit millions of customers with price rises of 6% at the beginning of 2013. But there’s a way to escape contracts for a cheaper deal penalty-free if you act in time.

The hikes, which take effect on 5 January 2013, will be the fourth set of rises the telecoms giant has implemented in just over two years. They come just as households will be counting costs due to the start of energy price rises.

How to escape your contract

Under BT terms and conditions, as a price rise is considered to be to your “detriment”, you have 10 days from receiving notice of a price rise to terminate your contract without incurring an early termination fee.

BT’s terms state: “If British Telecom Payment Services makes a change to your material disadvantage, you may terminate your BT Telephony Services, BT Total Broadband or BT Vision agreement.

“Contact us directly within 10 calendar days of receiving our price change notification you may cease your services without penalty.”

BT says customers will be notified of the price changes in the BT Update magazine sent with bills in September, October and December. If you have an online account, you’ll be emailed in September or October.

Read more about this on the Money Saving Expert website – BT and price increases: January 2013.