January 2019

Scam victims tricked into transferring money to fraudsters have stronger rights to complain about the bank that received their money, rather than just their own bank, under new rules coming into force today. Under the changes, when fraudsters con victims into sending them cash – known as an authorised push payment (APP) scam – consumers can complain to the bank that has received the money, if they're concerned about how it is handling the situation. Previously, you were only able to complain to your own bank, which had sent the money. 

More than two-thirds of mobile phone customers use less than 3GB of data a month, a poll of MoneySavingExpert.com users has revealed – as new analysis from Citizens Advice warns £800 million is wasted each year on unused data. 

eBay is increasing the number of free monthly listings for sellers from 20 to 1,000 – but you'll still need to pay a fee if your item sells. 

An influential group of MPs has backed Martin Lewis's call for the broken ombudsmen system to be reformed, in a huge step forward for MoneySavingExpert.com's campaign to overhaul the complaints system.

Curve cardholders have been stopped from linking their American Express cards to the 'all-in-one' service less than two days after the new functionality was introduced. 

More than 18,000 TSB customers switched away from the bank between July and September last year following its IT problems earlier in 2018 – adding to the 21,790 who moved away between April and June.

Utilita has been appointed by the energy regulator Ofgem to take on Our Power's 38,000 domestic customers after the firm stopped trading.

Hundreds of thousands of tax returns are filed late each year by people who don't owe any tax, data obtained by MoneySavingExpert.com shows – meaning many risk a fine of at least £100. If you still need to file a return this year, act fast – the deadline for filing your tax return this year is 11.59pm on Thursday 31 January.

The Financial Conduct Authority's director of strategy and competition Christopher Woolard (pictured above) gives an update on the regulator's work to protect consumers from contactless card fraud – and what you can do if you think you've been targeted. Views do not necessarily reflect those of MoneySavingExpert.com. For more background on the issue, see our Contactless card security flaw largely fixed, in win for MSE's two-year campaign news story.  It's now nearly two years since our chief executive, Andrew Bailey, wrote for MSE on our work to prevent contactless card fraud. We've been working throughout that time to keep contactless transactions safe, and in the vast majority of cases they are – but it's important that we, and you, stay vigilant. 

Holidaymakers with travel insurance policies from at least seven major firms may not be covered for hotel, car hire and other costs if they have to cancel their trip because of Brexit-related flight disruption, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal. If you're worried, check your policy now – and if you do want cover for disruption, you need to sort it now or risk not being able to get it.