Don't get scammed!
06/01/2009
Each year UK consumers lose £3.5 billion to scams with the average victim losing £850, and older people are the most targeted and lose twice as much as other victims - according to the Office Of Fair Trading (OFT). Sadly, older people are often the principal targets.
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We're all getting older!
As the nation 'ages' in the coming years, the ratio of 'workers to pensioners' is expected to see a significant decline over the next 25 years.
Pet ownership costs rocket
Think twice if you are considering giving a pet to someone this Christmas as cost of ownership rises by up to 24%. Pet insurance provider, Intune, has calculated that the average cost of keeping a dog over its lifetime has increased by 24% to £13,000 since 2000. Average costs of keeping a cat over the same period have risen by 23% to over £10,000.
Interest and older people with savings - commonsense from HMRC
HMRC have been running a campaign to remind people who are not taxpayers - including many pensioners - that they should register with their bank/building society to get their interest paid without tax deduction. The Low Income Tax reform Group explains what this will mean for people.
The pound in your pocket
The 'credit crunch' is now affecting everyone. But how did we get into this state? Peter Hargreaves, chief executive of financial services group Hargreaves Lansdown, explains in a hard-hitting article why he believes the UK economy is in deep trouble
Over 60s "not prepared to sacrifice holidays - despite credit crunch"
Not all older people are cutting back on holidays despite the credit crunch according to a new study out today. According to a poll by Intune, the financial products and services provider set up and owned by Help the Aged, 80% of respondents aged over 60 are still taking at least two foreign holidays a year, while nearly one in six enjoy more than four trips abroad.
Inflation still hitting older people hardest
A monthly study of age related inflation has found that the over 75 year olds continue to be hit the hardest by rising inflation. Even though headline inflation has dropped to 4.5%, this age group saw their inflation rate decline from 7.8% to 7.1% in October.
Over one million older people "have received incorrect benefits"
Figures released by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) wrong pension credit payments last year - and 84% of mistakes were caused by official errors rather than fraud or customer error.
Need help or advice? Here's your FirstStop
Need advice or help? FirstStop is a new information and advice service for older people, their families and carers is provided jointly by Help the Aged, The Elderly Accommodation Counsel, and Counsel and Care and supported by a commercial partner NHFA Care Fees Advice.
Consumer champion asks why consumers are left waiting to see energy bills fall
Consumer Focus, the new independent champion for consumers, has called on energy suppliers to cut domestic energy prices in light of falling oil prices.
Turn the tide on rising water costs
With some water companies announcing that they would like to raise prices well above inflation, there may be ways to reduce what seem to be ever growing household costs, says water independent watchdog, the Consumer Council for Water.
If you're splashing cash abroad, keep your credit card in your pocket
Taking cash out abroad is never going to be cheap. But the high interest rates applied means that it's advisable never withdraw cash on a credit card either at home or abroad unless it is an absolute emergency, says MT's Debt Doctor Russell Cavanagh.
Millions forking out £80 a year for insurance they don't need
Older people could be forking out over £80 a year for mobile phone insurance when their phones could already be covered under their home and contents insurance policy.
Inflation surges for older people
The headline inflation rate of 4.5 may be causing concern in the City and in Downing Street - but millions of older people would willingly accept that instead of the 6.3% that many of them are suffering.
Why should licence fee payers pay for BBC mistakes?
The news that Ofcom has fined the BBC £400,000 for deceiving listeners and viewers in a string of radio and television programmes is nonsensical and wrong, says Voice of the Listener & Viewer.
