Each year, over 900,000 of us find that thieves have used our card details to make purchases or to withdraw money from our accounts. However, proving that fraud has taken place on your account can be difficult. To help protect customers, the FSA has drawn up new rules, making it easier to claim refunds on disputed transactions. But are all the banks taking notice? Riz Lateef reports.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
Fiat Puntos, Fiat Grande Puntos and Europe's best selling super-mini, the Fiat Panda are three small cars with one big problem. So much so, that some of their owners are scared to drive them. Ricky Boleto reports.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
Bexley-based Drainsafe Limited is a company specialising in boilers and drains.
Read the rest of this entry
99p Stores started out as a single shop in North London eleven years ago. Now there are more than 150 stores all over the country, generating profits of £6.3 million. What's the secret? Chris Hollins reports.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
This week our resident grump, Rick Wakeman is leading the charge against admin fees. Why do big companies often make us pay exorbitant costs for them to process our paperwork?
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
British Gas is the leading energy provider in the UK and was the first provider to cut domestic electricity bills by 5% this year. But, when it comes to servicing your boiler it's also number one for complaints about overcharging and needless work. Chris Hollins reports...
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
The PIP breast implant scandal saw 47,000 British women affected. All the women were fitted with silicone implants containing industrial grade chemicals never intended for medical use. In December, the French government recommended their removal due to increasing evidence they could rupture. Women in France can get the procedure for free but the NHS and private clinics in the UK will only remove implants if it is deemed clinically necessary.
What's worse is that as the company that made the silicone has gone out of business, they've been unable to get refunds on their surgery. But could that be about to change? Martin Lewis reports.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
Kent-based John Ovenell offers his customers "Cheap and Cheerful Clearance" of their waste. But despite charging what could be considered reasonable prices, his services haven't left everyone so cheerful.
Read the rest of this entry
The British Parking Association (or BPA) represents private parking companies in the UK. Under the current rules, only companies who are members can buy driver's details from the DVLA, which lets them chase motorists for extortionate charges.
To gain membership, companies have to agree to follow the BPA's Code of Practice, but we've previously seen how the BPA has failed to take action against companies that have breached the code, or even the law. But how would they react if a parking company failed to take action following a judge's ruling? Excel Parking Services Ltd have done just that.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
Tesco; Talk-Talk; Harvey's. They're all packing their ads with small print and disclaimers and this doesn't impress Watchdog's resident grump Rick Wakeman...
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
With premiums up by 17% on last year, insuring your car can be costly. The insurers say it's not their fault but Watchdog has discovered some of the biggest companies can offer existing customers cheaper deals... they just don't like telling them... Riz Lateef reports.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
Everest is one of the biggest names in home improvements, fitting windows, doors, kitchens and roofs. Everest is one company with lots of promises, guaranteeing the best materials and top quality workmanship, along with exacting standards and exceptional customer service, apparently delivering a perfect fit every time. But we've met some dissatisfied customers...
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
Believe it or not, there's a property boom in the UK right now, but it's for property to let rather than property to buy. Raising a deposit and getting a mortgage has never been tougher, and that's good news for landlords (and landladies), as their rental properties are in high demand. However, Rogue Traders has discovered one lettings company that has been taking payments from potential tenants, guaranteeing them that the property is theirs, and then keeping the property on the market so they can collect similar payments from others.
Read the rest of this entry
KGB Deals and LivingSocial are all major players in the rapidly expanding internet phenomenon 'Daily Deals'. If you register with one of their websites you'll receive regular emails offering great offers in your area. Sounds great, but is it? Ricky Boleto reports.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
If you're heading off on holiday this Easter, chances are you may have booked a flight with British Airways, Thomas Cook, easyJet or Qatar Airways and thought you'd bagged a great deal. That's because these airlines all had recent sales.
But before you get too smug, we've unearthed some very sneaky tactics which could mean that your savings might not be as good as you think. Rebecca Wilcox reports.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
In January 2012 the Office of Fair Trading launched an inquiry into all leading health and fitness clubs across the UK, following concerns that they had been breaking the law by tying members into lengthy contracts and making it very difficult for customers to get out of them. So, with an official investigation underway, surely the biggest gym chain in the country will be playing by the rules? Apparently not. Chris Hollins investigated for Watchdog.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
Operating around the North London area, Chris Marino used to run a company called GardenBase Ltd. He now runs Buildline Landscapes, the trading name of Lloyds Mint Ltd. He has no connection other companies which may have similar names.
Read the rest of this entry
LA Fitness is the third largest gym chain in the UK. We investigated LA Fitness and found that, like Fitness First, LA Fitness had also been ignoring guidance from the OFT. Chris Hollins reported for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Watchdog.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
Hotel rooms don't come cheap, especially in the big cities and tourist spots. But if you want to stay connected online, you might find a much bigger bill when you check out, as Watchdog's resident grump, Rick Wakeman has been finding out...
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ´óÏó´«Ã½ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Read the rest of this entry
