Online banking ‘improves personal finance’
June 25, 2008 by admin
Filed under News, News-Banking
Eight out of ten consumers who regularly use online banking say it makes them better at managing their finances, according to research.
The survey from internet bank cahoot has found that 38 million Britons have used online banking.
People now spend more time conducting their financial affairs online than they spend on internet social networking sites, the study suggests.
Matthew Timms, cahoot’s managing director, said the credit crunch is making Britons take greater control of their finances.
He commented: “We’re flocking to internet banking, where we can instantly access and manage our finances at a time and location of our choice as well as pick up some of the best rates on the market.”
Last week, separate research suggested that one in five British men believes he is “careful” with his money.
In the survey, commissioned by Scottish Widows, more men said they identified with thrifty businessman Ian Beale from EastEnders than with any other soap character.
More consumers concerned about safety of personal details
March 21, 2008 by admin
Filed under News, News-Credit-Cards
More consumers are concerned about the safety and security of their personal details than ever before, an information body has claimed. 
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said this fear of identity theft is driven by various factors including the recent data losses, particularly by the government, as well as the rise in the number of incidences of identity theft being recorded.
David Smith, deputy commissioner at the ICO, said: “As we all give more and more information out to all sorts of organisations, they build up bigger and bigger databases with pictures of our lives and the risks get greater all the time.”
He added that consumers should not panic, but should question organisations as to why they may need personal information.
Research carried out by consumer advisers CPP found that London is the top worst location for credit and debt card fraud theft, with 20 per cent of Londoners say that they have had their cards stolen before.
