Columns Archive



Consumer Spy: Hidden charges of TV on demand The Consumer Spy reads the small print so you don’t have to…This month the Consumer Spy decided to get on the case and uncover the real costs of TV on demand…

Heroes and Villains - Virgin Media vs. Egg No-one escapes Hazel's Heroes and Villains column. This month Virgin Media is praised for its excellence, and Egg is shamed for its misdemeanours...

Future Gazing - 'We'll all be financial experts in 10 years time' The economic meltdown will finally sting us into wising-up about money…

Heroes and Villains - Scottish and Southern Energy vs. PPI pushers No-one escapes Hazel's Heroes and Villains column. This month Scottish and Southern Energy is praised for its excellence, and PPI pushers are shamed for their misdemeanours...

Future Gazing - The future of energy bills Following the proposed introduction of feed-in tariffs, will we all soon be billing British Gas?

Consumer Spy: Avoid the credit nightmare before Christmas The Consumer Spy reads the small print so you don’t have to…This month Becca investigates the Argos card with a sky-high APR...

Heroes and Villains - Be broadband vs. Barclaycard No-one escapes Hazel's Heroes and Villains column. This month Be Broadband is praised for its excellence, and Barclaycard named and shamed for its misdemeanours...

Consumer Spy - Savings and loans T&Cs made easy The Consumer Spy reads the small print so you don’t have to…This month Becca reviews the new Banking Code policy on savings and loans...

Future Gazing - The Future of Banking OFT victory against unfair charges could lead to legendary changes in the way the banking system works. Farewell free banking?

Consumer Spy: E.ON’s changing terms and conditions The Consumer Spy reads the small print so you don’t have to…This month Becca reads E.ON's changing terms and conditions...

Heroes and Villains - Lloyds TSB vs. Virgin Media No-one escapes Hazel's Heroes and Villains column. This month Loyds TSB are praised for their excellence, and Virgin Media named and shamed for their misdemeanours...

Consumer Spy: Meter reading made easy The Consumer Spy reads the small print so you don’t have to…This month Becca tells us how to input our meter readings...

Heroes and Villains - Virgin Media vs. Halifax - No-one escapes Hazel's Heroes and Villains column. This month Virgin Media are praised for their excellence, and Halifax named and shamed for their misdemeanours...

Consumer Spy: High-cost helplines name and shame The Consumer Spy reads the small print so you don’t have to…This month Becca spies on customer service helplines and their hidden costs...