Household Bills
‘Cash payments’ and paper bills
Consumers could save a staggering £237 million a year by simply changing the way they handle their phone bills, reveals uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service.
Charges hiding in the small print
Offers of free laptops and modems are practices frequently used by providers to lure customers into new broadband deals.
Brits take a baby shower
American style baby showers have become de-rigueur in the UK, says an ongoing study by cahoot to track the proliferation of ideas imported into Britain from the U.S. The report found that 3.9 million British spent a colossal £102 million on baby shower presents over the past five years.
All the gear but no idea
Brits have amassed an estimated £23 billion worth of sports equipment in their homes, much of which is seldom used, according to new research from home insurer LV=.
Switch off your gadgets on E-day
Consumers are being asked to switch off unused gadgets and stop wasting electricity on the 27th February – the UK’s first national ‘E-Day’.
Ofgem fines National Grid £41.6m
Energy regulator Ofgem has fined National Grid £41.6 million for a breach of competition law that restricted the development of competition in the domestic gas meter market.
New free directory enquiries service to save consumers money
Consumers will be able to save up to £272 million a year following the launch of the new 0800 100 100 free directory enquiries service, according to independent price comparison and switching service, uSwitch.com.
Brits living on a budget to curb credit crunch fears
Two thirds of UK adults (66%) – that’s more than 30 million people – are planning to tighten their belt financially this year because of the “credit crunch”, according to research from Friends Provident, the FTSE 100 life and pensions company.
Elderly urged to apply for help heating and insulating their homes
People receiving Pension Credit are being urged to apply for grants to help insulate their homes against the cold and rising fuel bills.
OFT sends out fake 'scam' text messages to warn young consumers
The OFT has sent out thousands of fake scam text messages to 18-24 year-old mobile phone users to raise awareness about scams.
MAC migraine continues for broadbanders trying to switch
A year after compulsory regulations were introduced to improve the experience for the 260,000 consumers switching broadband every month a new study, by independent price comparison and switching service uSwitch.com, reveals that the new rules are failing to deliver the results they set out to achieve.
Where there’s a will there’s a way to scam you
Problem-solving charity Citizens Advice is warning people to be wary of adverts and cold calls promising cut-price wills that turn out to be anything but.
Women are not dazzled by big tippers
Eating out is no longer a luxury but almost a way of life for most people. And dining out with friends can often be an enjoyable way to spend your leisure time. However, according to findings by Fool.co.uk, your guests will judge you by the size of tip you leave at the end of the meal.
Consumer Direct launches new scams reporting function
Consumer Direct, the government advice service, has added a new reporting function to its website to help in the fight against mass marketed scams.
What's your Valentine's day secret?
Loved-up Brits who break the bank might be in danger of breaking hearts too if their partners find out what they have been up to.