Articles by Barry Stamp

20 August 2010
Dealing with debtors - Dubai style

A British man has finally returned to the UK after being forced to spend three months living rough in Dubai, bought about by a dispute over his credit card bill. Read more...

20 August 2010
Levels of identity fraud increase yet again as new scams are revealed

The latest figures released by CIFAS - the UK's fraud prevention service - showed that number of cases of identity fraud increased 14% in the first 6 months of this year compared to the same period in 2009. Read more...

20 August 2010
House repossessions fall, but tougher times may lie ahead

The number of houses being repossessed and the number of homeowners in arrears on their mortgage repayments both fell in the second quarter of 2010. But could this be the calm before the storm? Read more...

05 July 2010
Can you go to prison for debt?

The short answer is yes. But you can avoid the risk completely if you understand what has to happen before you can be banged up, and take steps to avoid it happening to you. Read more...

05 July 2010
Helped a struggling friend or relative in debt?

Then you probably have rights you never knew you had, and ones that lenders are very unlikely to tell you about. Your kindness does not go unnoticed in UK law. Read more...

05 July 2010
iPad up for grabs

There's still time to complete our Banking and Credit Card survey and have the chance of winning an iPad. Find out what previous surveys have told us, and how they have helped consumers. Read more...

24 June 2010
Consumers to get better protection from inaccurate debt collection proceedings

The data that is used to trace debtors could get a whole lot more accurate, if the OFT decides that new measures of quality control are needed. Could it mean less people being wrongly chased for debts? Read more...

09 June 2010
BLACKLISTS...Ten things you probably didn't know

Do blacklists really exist, and can the previous occupants of your hom damage your own ability to get credit? We answer these questions and more in our guide to blacklists. Read more...

23 April 2010
Credit card cheques withdrawn by MBNA

MBNA is the latest company to withdraw from issuing credit card cheques, but what do you do with the ones in your drawer? Read more...

23 April 2010
Seeing more 'sold' signs?

That's because mortgage lending in March is up 24% on last year, but over the first quarter of 2010 mortgage lending is actually down. Read more...

23 April 2010
Credit scoring abandoned by mortgage lender

The Legal & General Mortgage Club has launched a new traditionally-underwritten mortgage product, that doesn't use credit scoring. Read more...

07 October 2009
Clever phone scam to wheedle out your 'security code'

Now we all use 'security codes' on our credit cards, fraudsters have now imported from the US a new way of getting round the problem. Read more...

07 October 2009
£8,000 credit card debt declared 'void' by court

Just because the card company sold Payment Protection Insurance incorrectly according to some newspapers? Read more...

07 October 2009
Bankruptcy Tourism

A charity has warned that Europeans are planning a visit to Britain to file for bankruptcy, to take advantage of our 'relaxed' bankruptcy laws. Read more...

25 September 2009
Identity fraud hotspots surge

We've seen a huge surge in the number of postcodes that are currently being hit by identity fraudsters, particularly in the Greater London area. Read more...

25 September 2009
Government inquiry into "shopping around for credit"

It's claimed that many lenders leave a full 'credit application' search on your credit file even when you're just shopping around, damaging your credit. Read more...

25 September 2009
HSBC staff to carry personal attack alarms

The credit crunch has left bank staff feeling so vulnerable to attack by dissatisfied customers that personal attack alarms have been routinely issued. Read more...

15 July 2009
Credit searches can damage your credit report - True or False?

Don't believe the hype when it comes to shopping around for credit. We lift the lid on one of the biggest misconceptions about credit searches and how they affect your score. Read more...

15 July 2009
Credit card cheques - friend or foe?

The latest Government attack on credit card cheques is somewhat unfounded. Find out why when used properly, they can be a safe and convenient way of borrowing. Read more...

04 June 2009
UK lags behind in data protection

The UK is in danger of being left behind when it comes to protecting the personal data of its individuals and reacting when breaches do happen. Read more...

09 April 2009
The checkmyfile price guarantee

We're so confident about how low our prices are that we've now launched a Price Guarantee. Read more...

08 April 2009
Ten things you probably didn't know about...BLACKLISTS

Ten things you probably didn't know about….. BLACKLISTS Read more...

26 March 2009
New FICO credit score launched

A new mortgage credit scoring product is being launched in the US, following criticism over the role that scorecards played in the sub-prime crisis. What's the situation in the UK though? Read more...

19 March 2009
Saga cardholders not all loving their credit cards

A change in policy by over 50's specialist Saga means that thousands of customers could have their credit cards withdrawn. What is the best replacement if you're affected? Read more...

19 March 2009
1 in 7 to switch bank accounts away from RBS

Controversy over the banking crisis and Sir Fred Goodwin's pension in particular, could see huge numbers of customers moving their current accounts away from RBS. But anyone who does decide to switch could earn themselves £100 Read more...

19 March 2009
Facing Redundancy? - know your rights

It seems that we all know someone who is faced with losing their job, or has done already. We highlight how redundancy works, and what to do if you fear the worst. Read more...

12 March 2009
Secret Database Uncovered

An unlawful database of construction workers' personal details - that has been used by some of the UK's biggest firms - has been busted. But what are employers allowed to see? Read more...

12 March 2009
Credit card defaults increasing

The number of people defaulting on their credit card debt is set to reach new levels, as the recession bites hard. How can you avoid falling into the same trap? Read more...

12 March 2009
Fight back against card limit cuts

With credit card issuers continuing to slash customers' limits at will, what should you do if your own spending power is cut? We highlight how you can fight back. Read more...

05 March 2009
Bank charges ruling - what does it mean?

The Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the Office of Fair Trading in the bank charges case. Whilst it's far from the end of the matter, a fresh surge of claims are likely to pour in. Read more...

05 March 2009
Government goes fishing for Loan Sharks

The Government has launched a new consumer helpline aimed at stemming the use of unlicensed lenders. But will people dare to use it, and what other help is on offer? Read more...

26 February 2009
A new way out for the over-borrowed

A new system for helping consumers deal with unmanageable debt is set to be rolled out in April. Find out who they are aimed at, and what they can do. Read more...

19 February 2009
Banking and Credit Card Survey 2009

So say 47.6% of respondents to our annual survey so far. Read more early results and add your feedback to tell us what you think. Read more...

19 February 2009
Employment related credit checks on the up

A clean credit file is essential for anyone looking to work in the financial sector or in a job that involves handling money, but what data are they actually allowed to look at? Read more...

02 February 2009
No-credit-check bank accounts on offer

Customers with a poor credit history have traditionally missed out on the benefits of a normal bank account, but a new company aims to help put matters right. Read more...

20 January 2009
Dealing with debt collectors

With increasing numbers of lenders and utilities using debt collectors more quickly than before, here's some timely advice on how to handle them. Read more...

08 January 2009
Your gift vouchers may end up not worth the paper they are printed on

The collapse of Woolworths, Zavvi, The Pier and Adams could well mean that gift vouchers are worthless. Act quickly now. Read more...

22 December 2008
More opt out from Electoral Roll

Not good news for direct marketing firms as consumers become increasingly aware of the threat of identity fraud and take the first step to protect themselves. Read more...

22 December 2008
Online cheque clearing time checker

Need to know how long it takes for a cheque paid in to your bank account to start earning interest, or when you can withdraw money out against it? Read more...

22 December 2008
Consumer debt rising by £1m every 9 minutes

…and other very scary statistics from the money education charity, Consumer Action. Where to get advice do if you're suffering debt problems of any sort. Read more...

11 September 2008
checkmyfile Warns 'Check The Small Print Before Betting Online With A Credit Card'

Read more...

10 September 2008
Data breach cover-ups

Prisoners, prison officers, seasonal workers -all have had their personal details 'lost' over the last month. It's now down to us, as individuals, to protect ourselves. Read more...

28 August 2008
Use online gambling sites? Why you could still lose money on a winning bet

Discrete changes to the small print could mean that using a credit card to gamble online could cost you money - even if your bet comes in. Read more...

08 August 2008
Thousands lose money because of lack of card protection

The collapse this month of wedding gift list firm Wrap-it saw thousands of people lose their money with little chance of a refund. Find out how it could have been a different story. Read more...

24 June 2008
Some things you don't read in the papers about the credit crunch

The credit crunch is providing easy pickings for headline writers, but they still seem to be missing some important points. We highlight six things that could help you through the current turmoil. Read more...

20 May 2008
Don't get too wound up by mortgage debt headlines

Repossession orders in England and Wales rose by 9% to 27,530 in the first quarter of 2008 - the highest level since 1991. Things might not be as bad as the headlines suggest though. Read more...

07 April 2008
Yet more personal data goes missing

A disc containing insurance details of 370,000 HSBC customers has gone missing - just the latest in a long line of similar mishaps. Read more...

03 April 2008
Thinking of moving house this Spring?

Spring is officially here at last and is traditionally the most popular time of year to move house. We highlight a couple of things you should be aware of if you are planning to move home. Read more...

15 January 2008
Lenders set to tighten their belts further

Many lenders have tightened their lending criteria, increased the 'cut-off' rates on their credit scorecards. Read more...

28 December 2007
At least Dick Turpin wore a mask- Results of the annual Checkmyfile Banking and Credit Card Survey

Read more...

09 November 2007
More protection for borrowers.

Changes in the law in 2008 will offer extra protection to borrowers and reduce the penalties for paying back loans early. Read more...

10 October 2007
Identity fraud week fails to spark media interest

The third annual National Identity Fraud Prevention Week may have passed you by. Find out about the latest government plans. Read more...

03 September 2007
Don't get left off the Electoral Roll

This years Electoral Registration forms will drop onto your doormat very soon. Find out why it's so important to be properly listed. Read more...

16 July 2007
Identity cards cannot do anything to reduce almost half a billion pounds lost to identity fraudsters annually

Read more...

03 July 2007
Absent parents face being made homeless and jobless by the Government's plans to replace the CSA

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20 June 2007
Going abroad this summer? Don't get stung on credit card charges

Using your credit card on holiday offers convenience, but are you getting a raw deal from overseas charges? Don't pay more than you need to. Read more...

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