OK, O2 have given me £5000 as a gesture of goodwill and arne't budging from this. I did ask questions to which the responses were: -We don't set internal credit limits -We don't have people to look for fraudulent activity -We only monitor unusual calling patterns in the first few months of being a customer -If I hadn't reported the phone stolen, the bill would have just increased and increased.... Ofcom suggested Otelo would award a max of £5000 but as O2 have done this I'm note sure of the use of going to Otelo. Does anyone have any further practical advice I could take?

Many thanks for that, it does fill me with some hope, the companies are O2 - £10500 and Orange - £1800 and it may still increase! We have contacted the press so we'll see how that goes too...

The bill now stands at £12300, this is all very frightening

My wife and I recently returned from our honeymoon to discover our mobiles had been stolen (from the bottom of our suitcases). We only took them for emergencies, anyway you know what's coming! We reported them stolen as soon as we returned but there is now a £5800 bill between us. We contacted Ofcom and have sent a letter to the companies proving we were in a different country when the calls were made but really it seems as though we're reliant now on how compassionate they are. Our travel/home insurance doesn't want to know and so we appear stuck waiting for help. What a way to start our married life together!! Whilst we realise we are legally liable, but we were still robbed and why on earth don't these companies have automated software with alarm bells ringing when my monthly £25 bill clearly spirals out of control with calls made within South Africa? If anyone has any further advice please let me know...