MONEY MORSELS
Broadband alerts
PLUSNET has promised not to hike broadband prices mid-way through customers’ contracts. In addition to the fixed- price guarantee given on taking out its copper, fibre and Fibre Extra packages, subscribers will be alerted just before the agreement ends so they know to move to a cheaper deal. The new rules only apply to customers who signed up after August 8 this year.
Lost millions
THERE are still £169 million of old £1 coins in circulation nine months after they ceased to be legal tender, according to The Royal Mint. The new 12-sided £1 coin was introduced on March 28, 2017 in a bid to clampdown on counterfeiting. It is estimated about one in 30 of the old, round £1 coins are fake. The old coins can still be taken in to your bank and traded for new ones.
Rising rents
RENTS are expected to rise 15 pc in the next five years, with East Anglia and the South West seeing the biggest increases, new research suggests. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors says this is because fewer landlords are renting out properties following a clampdown on buy-to-let investing.
Fake emails
CROOKS are targeting NatWest customers, Action Fraud warns. The national cybercrime monitoring service says more than 300 customers of the bank have reported receiving emails asking them to verify their full name and mobile number by clicking on a link. Report these emails to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Banned advert
UTILITY Warehouse has been told by the advertising watchdog it can no longer claim to be offering ‘the UK’s best- value mobile’. The Advertising Standards Agency says the advertisement was misleading because Utility Warehouse does not offer cheaper data, minutes and texts for phones than its competitors.
Account checks
THOSE aged 65 and over are least likely to check their bank account regularly, according to Office for National Statistics research. Just 43 pc said they looked at their account once a week, compared to 78 pc of 25-34 year olds.
Package holidays
HOLIDAYMAKERS have voted Thomas Cook, First Choice and TUI (formerly Thomson) as the worst package holiday providers. Consumer group Which? asked 5,000 customers in the UK to rate companies on areas such as value for money, customer service and how close the brochure description was to the reality. Thomas Cook came bottom of the table. Although its holidays worked out as the cheapest per day, customers gave the firm just three stars for value. British Airways was voted top.