Two thirds (66%) shudder at someone else choosing their clothes, almost half (46%) are nervous about someone else doing their food shopping for them and 12% are curiously particular about their cup of tea being made the ‘right’ way. Yet research shows that three quarters of people who need help when making payments act outside of their bank’s terms and conditions by sharing their card and PIN.

Less than half of people requiring assistance to make payments on a temporary basis are aware of each of the secure alternatives to sharing their card and PIN. To meet this need, a new Pay Your Way consumer advice guide from the Payments Council sets out payment options to help people stay in control of their financial affairs. The guide is designed for everyone, but particularly informs those with restricted mobility due to illness or accident, who may find visiting their bank or cash machine difficult.

For some, mobile, telephone or internet banking, or prepaid cards will offer a good solution. Whilst others may prefer using a cheque or other options which their particular bank might  offer – such as a single use PIN code so someone can take money out on their behalf at an ATM without their card, or opening up a second account with a trusted individual that only holds the funds that they want someone else to access.

The Payments Council has been working with a range of consumer groups including Citizens Advice, Age UK, RNIB, SCOPE, Action on Elder Abuse, Macmillan Cancer Support and the National Pensioners’ Convention to develop and share the advice found in the guide, and to produce industry guidance which banks and building societies will be supporting. This guidance will help to ensure that banks and building societies inform customers of the range of suitable payment options offered if they need to authorise someone else to make payments on their behalf.

What we worry about losing control over 

Maurice Cleaves, Interim Chief Executive of the Payments Council said:

“The reality for most people is that they don’t need, or want, to think about alternative methods until something happens that challenges their usual way of going about their business. Suddenly having to walk with crutches or stay in bed to recover from an illness means many risk losing control of their finances due to not being able to get to the bank or cashpoint.

“But it doesn’t have to be this way. New payment technology and innovation over the last ten years has afforded us many more options for making payments and staying in control of our bank accounts.  Different banks offer different products and services – our new advice guide can help you consider the full range of payment options available, especially if getting out and about has become trickier.”

Gary Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Action on Elder Abuse said:

"We know that managing finances can be difficult for people who can't get out and about easily, which is why some people are resorting to sharing their card and PIN. The information in the Payments Council's advice guide is really important as it reminds consumers with mobility challenges of the safe options to make payments, making them less vulnerable to fraud."