FRAUD
Q. I’m worried about credit card fraud. I’ve got three now and use them online for all kinds of purchases. Does this make me a prime target?
Mo, Bicester
A. Online fraud is a growing problem, but can be avoided. Steer clear of Internet sites that don't connect you to a secure server when you enter your personal details (when a purchase is made using a secure connection the Internet address will change from http to https). Print off any documents connected with the sale and keep them safe so you can refer to them. Check your bank balance frequently and change your passwords on a regular basis. If you can, get a note of the company’s telephone number and postal address – if this is hard to come by, be wary.
MOVING ON UP
Thinking of moving home?
Maybe. House prices are on the up – I could make a killing.
Do you know enough about your house to sell it?
Well, if push comes to shove, yes.
Enough to meet Part 5 of the Housing Act 2004 which introduced a legal obligation on homeowners, or their selling agents, to make a Home
Information Pack (HIP) available when marketing their home?
|
Err, it’s got a lovely south-facing view if that’s what you mean?
Not quite. HIPs will provide important information to prospective purchasers such as terms of the sale, evidence of title, copies of any planning, listed building and building regulations consents and approvals, copies of warranties and guarantees, local searches and an energy performance certificate.
Blimey. So, if we drop everything for a beach hut in Barbados, I’ve got to raid the shoe box under the bed for a bunch of crumpled-up receipts.
Actually, you could find yourself exempt if you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, or if you sell your home privately. You could also be excluded if your home is part of a commercial property or has a lease of less than 21 years.
What about the survey? You’ve got to have a survey. Tell me there’s a survey!
The Home Condition Report – as it will be called – will be a voluntary part of HIPs, which are due to be launched in June 2007.
And what was that about a Boy Scout energy badge thingy?
|
Energy performance certificates are similar to the energy efficiency labels on white goods – they give prospective purchasers a guide to the likely energy costs of occupying the property. For more information visit homeinformationpacks.gov.uk
HOLIDAY FROM HELL
Changes at the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) will mean holidaymakers caught out by fraudulent travel agents will no longer be eligible for compensation. The changes will influence one in six claims made to ABTA every year but won’t affect customers whose travel agent has gone bust. The ATOL scheme, covering package holidays, also remains in place. The changes were introduced after a number of fake websites conned holidaymakers into buying holidays that didn’t exist. In 2005, ABTA handled over 17,000 complaints. This latest development is part of an initiative designed to prevent abuse of the scheme.
WHAT’S NEW
THE ANNUAL COST OF RUNNING A CAR HAS RISEN BY 7.2% TO AROUND £2,202. THE MAIN REASON FOR THE INCREASE IS FUEL - THE AVERAGE MOTORIST NOW SPENDS 11% MORE ON FUEL THAN THEY DID LAST YEAR. Source: Sainsbury’s Bank |
