Why so many of us now miss old-fashioned paper bills

THEY were introduced as a simpler and greener alternative to the old-fashioned paper bills pushed through our letterbox.

However, it seems as if digital bills – sent either as emails, texts or made available online – are still not popular with everyone.

As many as a third of Britons still find digital bills more hassle than the paper ones they replaced, new figures show.

And while they may cut down on waste and time, many people said they were still more likely to open a posted envelope to look at a bill than open an email or text telling them how much they owe.

Others admitted they found it a struggle to remember all the passwords and logins they had for each of their bills and statements that were sent electronically.

The study, by GoCompare, found 80 per cent of consumers receive a paperless bill for at least one service. Georgie Frost, from the price comparison website, said: “Paperless bills have become far more common over the last few years and most of us will have at least one electronic bill or statement.

“While it’s undoubtedly good for the environment, it’s not a surprise that so many people find it a hassle and would rather keep the old-fashioned paper format.”

The study of 2,300 households found half of those asked chose paperless bills because it was greener and because it cost less.

However, a third of them found the online bills more of a hassle than the old-fashioned method and 38 per cent were more likely to open a paper bill than a digital one.

Almost a fifth had forgotten the login details while 15 per cent said they were easier to ignore, which may mean consumers do not spot mistakes in the amounts they are charged. And the process becomes even more complicated when a customer is directed to another website to access their bill.

GoCompare advises consumers to develop a filing system for paperless bills for each utility on their computer.