Money Box

Long lost, wealthy relatives who’ve sadly died but for whom you “might” be the next of kin – too good to be true or the real thing? We explain how to spot the difference and how to tell the good heir hunters from the bad. A disabled mother of two is being denied Healthy Start vouchers for her young children because she is on the wrong benefit. The vouchers provide more than a thousand pounds over four years to help low-income mothers buy milk and food for their growing children. But disabled people on a benefit called Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) only get the vouchers while they are pregnant.The latest Crime Survey for England and Wales shows a massive rise in the amount of fraud being carried out against victims – up by more than a third to 5.1m cases between October 2020 and September 2021.Inflation is already at levels not seen for a generation and this week food poverty campaigner Jack Monroe highlighted how she believes the real figure can be even worse for people on low incomes. So how was inflation first calculated, what are the different ways it’s been measured in the past, how do they compare to the here and now and should it be changed for the future?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Chris Flynn Producer: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Drew Miller-Hyndman and Sandra Hardial Editor: Emma RipponEmail story ideas and questions to moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @Moneybox

As millions of people are paying even more for their gas and electricity, Charmaine Cozier, listeners and experts discuss why prices are set to increase further, the pressure it’s putting on household budgets and what options might be available to help cushion the financial impact. We hear from callers Catherine, Peter, Janet & Mary about their experiences and worries regarding a significant increase in their energy bills. And experts Abby Jitendra, Principle Policy Manager on Energy for Citizens Advice and Vanessa Clark, Partner at Baringa, a management consultancy that works with the energy industry, join the programme to offer advice. You can access more information on the Citizen's Advice website https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issueProducer Smita Patel Editor Emma Rippon

From CryptoPunks to Bored Apes to original artwork and more, there has never been so much interest in them. Even big traditional art galleries are getting in on the action.Felicity Hannah looks at the financial world of NFTs, non-fungible tokens. They have a boring, slightly odd sounding name but they are generating a lot of excitement. So what are they, why do people want them and what are the risks?Are NFTs dangerous speculation or a new kind of asset? Joining the discussion are Andrea Baronchelli, associate professor in Mathematics at City University of London, & lead on the Token economy at The Alan Turing Institute. and Genevieve Leveille, CEO and Co-Founder of the blockchain-based business AgriLedger. The programme also hears from Bella and Jack who have bought NFTs. Frances Coppola. economist & Journalist, Sebastian Fahey, head of the NFT division at the auction house Sotheby’s & artist Waxbones.Producer Smita Patel Editor Emma Rippon

A Money Box investigation has discovered how a scam that saw criminals steal nearly £4m from 69 victims was barely investigated by the police – a response described by HMIC as “woeful”. Of the 69 cases, only 5 were passed on for investigation. We find out why.Twelve senior tax experts have asked the Chancellor to consider a new settlement opportunity for taxpayers facing what is called the loan charge. 50,000 people have been told they owe tens of thousands of pounds to Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs due to the way they were employed in the past. These demands have caused serious financial hardship, in many cases with devastating personal consequences.Most households are facing a serious jump in the price they pay for energy in April as the price cap on energy bills looks set to increase by up to 50%. We answer one listener’s question about whether or not he’ll still have to pay more despite only using electricity in his home and being with a 100% renewable energy supplier.CREDITS: Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Chris Flynn Producer: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Drew Miller-Hyndman and Sandra Hardial Editor: Emma Rippon

Would you ever consider being responsible for someone else’s mortgage? Or their rent? Or a debt? What if it was someone you loved and wanted to help?That’s exactly what guarantors agree to do. Felicity Hannah, callers & an expert panel discuss how it works, why it’s needed and what happens if something goes wrong.We hear the experience of Philippa, Clare, Peter, Tim & Geraldine alongside advise from: Jayastri Lowe, Money Advice Manager for Citizens Advice Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire North. John Wightman, Head of Practice for Lending & Affordability at the Financial Ombudsman Service. Gary Rycroft, senior partner & solicitor at Joseph A. Jones & Co, based in Lancaster.And you are access more information about being a guarantor via: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/using-a-guarantor www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers/complaints-can-help/credit-borrowing-money/guarantor-loansProducer Smita Patel Editor Emma Rippon

In April households are likely to see an increase of up to 50% in the cost of their energy bills. Many people already struggle to pay for gas and electricity so the upcoming price hike is expected to push many more into debt with their suppliers. What can people – and the energy industry – do to try to minimise the impact on people’s finances?Starling Bank has stopped paying for adverts on Facebook and Instagram until, it says, they do more to stop scam ads from being placed on their sites. We find out what Facebook parent company Meta has to say about the move and find out what action, if any, the other challenger and traditional banks are doing about it.Individual Voluntary Arrangements to help people find a way out of debt have come under the microscope before for being mis-sold. Now there is a consultation about their use.And after a huge response to a story about cheques on last week’s programme we hear from listeners about their thoughts on them and take an alternative, historical look at those humble rectangular pieces of paper that stir so much passion. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Chris Flynn Producer: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Drew Miller-Hyndman Editor: Emma Rippon

It takes a lot to get started in adult life - finding a flat, learning to budget, perhaps heading to university or a first job.Many new adults rely on their parents for help but more than 10 thousand young people a year leave the care system. In this edition of Money Box Live, Felicity Hannah, care leavers, a foster parent and a panel of experts discuss what support is on offer for young people leaving care. We hear from Callie, Mark, Chantel and Elias about their lives in care and how they have been treated by the system in relation to their financial entitlements. Joining them are Carrie Wilson Harrop, Young Persons consultant at The Care Leavers Association; Sam Turner, Policy and Participation Manager at BECOME, a national charity for children in care and young care leavers and Eilidh Malcolmson, a team leader who works with the continuing care and aftercare social work team for North West Glasgow. www.becomecharity.org.uk - helpline 0800 023 2033 or advice@becomecharity.org.ukwww.careleavers.comProducer Smita Patel Editor Emma Rippon

Automatic pensions are suggested for 18-21-year olds, the best ways to invest your money in 2022, the tax implications of cash inducements - and the rise and fall of cheques. There is growing support to reduce the age at which auto-enrolment pensions start. Currently, the limit is 22 years old, leaving younger people missing several years of contributions. We look at what those extra years could mean in terms of financial support for later in life.2021 was a good year for investors with the FTSE 100. It recovered from a 14.3% fall in 2020 by rising…14.3%. It was the best year for the UK stock market since 2016. But with inflation on the rise, what are the best options for people with some cash to invest in 2022? We get advice from two experts.What are the tax implications of all those cash offers and incentives customers get to switch things like bank accounts? Does HMRC even have to know? We answer one listener’s question about just that.And when did you last write a cheque? A generation ago they were a common means of payment. Even ten years ago they were still used regularly. But with the introduction of internet banking and instant online transfers and payments their use has plummeted. Last year cheques accounted for fewer than one in three hundred payments made in the UK — just 135 million out of a total of 40 billion transactions. So what does the future hold for those small bits of paper?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Chris Flynn Producer: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Drew Miller-Hyndman Editor: Emma Rippon Studio Manager: Antonio Fernandes Production Coordinator: Janet StaplesEmail moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @Moneybox with questions for the team.

Pyjamas and jumpers are the most unwanted gifts we receive and in the post-Christmas period about 10% of us return at least one gift to the shops.Since we spend about £80 billion over Christmas each year returning even a fraction of that involves a huge amount of money, both for shoppers and the shops.Adam Shaw and guests explore what are our consumer rights. What you can and can’t return? What you need to prove the purchase was made and where a bit of post-Christmas goodwill might help you get a refund and exchange Joining Adam are experts Jemma Cox from Welsh Trading Standards, Martyn James from the free resolution service Resolver, and Andrew Goodacre, CEO of BIRA, which is the leading trade association for independent retailers in the UK. And they hear from shop owners and customers about their experiences.Producer Smita Patel Editor Emma Rippon

Felicity Hannah and guests discuss how to make money from unwanted presents and belongings. And they hear from listeners who sell on, re-gift and rent out.