MOBILE phones users across Lancashire have been affected after a company which offers cash-back deals went into administration.

Trading standards officials have received a number of complaints about Mobile Media Systems Ltd.

The firm, based in Nottinghamshire went into administration last Wednesday.

It trades under a number of names including, Phonebox Direct, Cool New Mobile and Mobile Affiliates Ltd, trading standards said.

Now trading standards bosses have warned against people signing up for cash-back offers after receiving 10 complaints about the firm.

Cash-back deals see businesses promising to repay an amount of money several months into a contract if customers sign-up to a deal.

Jim Potts, senior trading standards officer for Lancashire County Council the authority had received seven complaints which included a man from Brierfield struggling to get £300 he claimed he had been promised.

He said: "We have had seven complaints about this company mostly regarding people not getting their money back.

"There are a number of small mobile phone companies who are buying air-time and offering cash-back after a certain period of time.

"If the pledges are made by a big company like Orange they are normally honoured.

"But if the pledges are made by the intermediary business rather than the air-time provider the chances are that if the company goes into administration you will be an unsecured creditor and will get nothing.

"We are seeing an increase in these small individuals making their own cash-back offers and who are in a more tenuous trading position."

In September trading standards in Blackburn with Darwen issued a warning after mobile phone dealer Dial-A-Mobile closed after promising to pay customers' line rental of £440 as well as offering £40 cash-back.

Complaints ranged from customers who faced bills of just over £1000 for two contracts to £15,000 for one client who took out 51 contracts.

Chris Allen, head of environmental health and trading standards, for Blackburn with Darwen Council said they had received three complaints about Mobile Media Systems.

He added: "Anyone considering a mobile phone cash-back deal should remember that they are still contracted to pay the line rental and call costs whatever happens and whether or not they receive any cash-back."

Anyone affected should contact trading standards or their service provider for help or alternatively Consumer Direct on 08454 040 506.