October 2009 Archive

Recession pushes up fraud

Financial fraud is rising as the recession forces some people to take desperate measures and criminal gangs expand activities.

No way out of 'cheapest debt first' credit cards

Credit card high interest debt hard to escape

Credit card customers facing their highest debts being paid off have no way out, other than clearing debts completely.

MPs warned shopping around for credit hits credit rating

MPs today were warned how shopping around for loans and credit cards may make it harder to secure a deal.

Unfair credit card charges challenged

Credit card scam of most expensive debts cleared first targeted

Unfair credit card practices and charges are being taken on by the government.

AA credit card rewards motorists

AA Financial Services has launched a reward credit card which offers double points on motoring and fuel purchases.

Personal loan rates rise

Personal loan rates increase as banks tighten criteria

Personal loan rates are increasing as lenders are not seeing risks dropping despite optimistic predictions for the economy.

Brown takes on credit card 'sharp practices'

The government is set to take on credit card and store cards this week, with proposing promising a fairer deal for consumers.

Guardian jobhunter ID fraud threat

Users of the Guardian's jobs website have been warned about the threat of ID fraud after criminals hacked into the newspaper's systems.

Sainsbury's: 8% loan rate for shoppers

Sainsbury's is offering personal loans at a rate of eight per cent to customers who hold a Nectar card.

Debt cancellation cowboys or saviours?

Can debt cancellation firms really help or leave you worse off?

Firms claiming they can write off debts, save you from repossession and get refunds are springing up left, right and centre, but can they really help?

Zurich Insurance loses 51,000 UK customers details

Data loss increases ID fraud fear for customers

Zurich Insurance has revealed it has lost data on 51,000 UK customers.

New violent card fraud threat

Police warn people not to hand over cards

Police in London are highlighting a spate of card crimes with fraudsters aiming to get cards and PINs and threatening victims with violence.

Staying safe online - Live webchat

Are you worried about shopping online and leaving your card details at risk to nefarious tribes of hackers and ID fraudsters?

Identity theft: Is ID fraud insurance worth taking?

Identity fraud is a big worry for consumers, according to a recent survey, with 76 per cent of UK adults concerned about becoming a victim and 39 per cent feeling more at risk now than six months ago.

Call centres putting your credit card details at 'unnecessary risk'

Call centres place personal details at unnecessary risk

Recordings of calls at call centres are holding a massive reservoir of customers' credit card and bank details placing people at risk of identity fraud.

'Time running out' on car scrappage scheme as VAT hike looms

Chance of driving off in a new car is going

Time is running out for car buyers looking to take advantage of the £2,000 discounts from the car scrappage scheme.

'Junk mail' loan letters stopped over ID fraud fears

Loan direct mail leads reader into ID fraud fears

A loan company has been stopped from sending out junk mail claiming people have been turned down for credit.

Two-thirds of renters fail to tell their bank when they move

Renting is a flashing light for ID fraudsters

Two-thirds of renters are failing to tell their bank when they move - leaving them open to the threat of identity fraud.

Debt advice - the first step to a brighter financial future

Those people who have racked up a significant amount of debt and are now finding themselves in a position where they are unable to take any meaningful steps to repay what they owe could find they constantly face demands from creditors for money they just don't have.