Charges for not paying by Direct Debit top list of `little rip-offs`

Being charged extra on bills for not paying by Direct Debit has topped a poll of Britain`s most hated `little rip-offs`.

17% of respondents to the poll by MSN Money said this was a source of frustration, followed by premium rate phone numbers (16%) and cinema food and drink prices (11%).

Hidden flight fees, ticket booking fees, charges for using public toilets and inflated postage and packing fees also made the list.

Simon Ward, Senior Editor of MSN Money, commented: "At a time when every penny counts, it`s clear that most of us are fed up of these little rip-offs, which ultimately all add up. While some are avoidable, many are not, which makes them all the more galling."

An expert at debt management company Gregory Pennington said: "The financial climate in recent years has led many people to take extra care over their finances, so it can be very frustrating to come across hidden or unavoidable extra fees - especially for people who are trying to cut back on spending and focus on repaying their debts.

"One way to avoid this is to research things in advance - for example, by checking the terms and conditions before you start booking a flight."