Will mortgage holiday ruin my credit score?

QYOU answered a letter a few weeks ago from someone thinking of taking a mortgage holiday but wondering if it would affect their credit rating. I’m now in the same position and wondering what the long-term effect will be?

THINGS have changed since then. When we answered that question and said it may affect your credit rating when taking a mortgage holiday, the measures offered by lenders and their consequences differed from lender to lender.

Now the Financial Conduct Authority has told all banks they must ensure those who use emergency financial measures during the crisis must not have their credit files affected.

I’M having to self-isolate and live alone. I have a neighbour who has offered to do my shopping but I’m wondering how I sort out paying for it?

AQAYOU could transfer money into their bank account if you have telephone or online banking.

Or some of the larger stores have created new e-gift cards where self-isolating shoppers can pre-load a virtual card with money online so volunteers can use this to pay for the goods. Stores including Asda, M&S and Waitrose have card schemes and Sainsbury’s is in the process of setting one up. Take a look at each store’s website to find out how their scheme works.

I GOT a text from the taxman to say I am due a refund. I’ve never had a tax refund before and I’m employed on PAYE. Is this worth following up?

THIS is a scam. There are lots of these types of texts doing the rounds at the moment as

QAcrooks try to cash in on our money worries during the crisis.

Delete the text immediately. DO NOT click on the link in it. HMRC would never contact you by text regarding your tax affairs.

I KNOW savings rates are not great at the moment but is there anywhere at all I can get more than the 0.1% I’m currently getting from my bank?

IT is difficult to get a decent return on your savings but you can certainly beat 0.1%. Marcus by Goldman Sachs (marcus.co.uk) has an online easy access savings account paying 1.3% and oneyear fixed rate saver paying 1.45%.

Yorkshire Building Society (ybs. co.uk) has a one-year limited access ISA (you can only make one withdrawal during the year) paying 1.05%. And Aldermore (aldermore.co.uk) has a one-year fixed rate cash ISA at 1.35%.

QA