Consumer group's fears over cash use
Some shops are using the coronavirus crisis as an excuse to “make cash a thing of the past”, a leading consumer group has warned.
Which? says people have been left unable to buy basics such as groceries and medicine at shops as some shops have declined payments using banknotes and coins during the crisis – insisting on card payments.
The watchdog is calling on businesses to show understanding and flexibility to customers who may only be able to pay in cash.
Richard Piggin, head of external affairs and campaigns at Which? said: "Many shops now display signs saying they only accept digital payments and our research shows that the rapid move towards a c a s h l e s s s o c i ety r i s k s excluding the most vulnerable from being able to pay for vital products and services.
"This underlines how important it is to have a co-ordinated approach to protecting the fragile cash system."
Nearly 2,500 people responded to the consumer group's call to report their payment problems – with 43% of those unable to pay with cash saying they had no another payment method with them.
Which? believes the findings indicate further work is needed to understand the scale and pace of cash being refused.
John Howells, chief executive of ATM network Link, said: "Not everyone can or is ready to use digital or card payments and our own research shows that it is often the most vulnerable and deprived members of the community who rely on cash.
"This research from Which? is worrying because we can't afford to sleepwalk into a cashless society where people are left behind."