Money Box

Ben Wallace MP, Minister for Economic Fraud responds to criticism from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary about whether the government is "content to leave fraud at the back of the queue" given what damage it can do.Dan Whitworth reports on a significant development for the former clients of collapsed mini-bond firm London Capital and Finance. And the launch of a pilot scheme to tackle rent arrears and keep people away from high cost credit by allowing them to flex their monthly rent payments.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

The latest news from the world of personal finance plus advice for those trying to make the most of their money.

Free cash machines are disappearing across the UK at an 'alarming' rate according to Which? Two of the major private operators, Cardtronics and Notemachine, have introduced charges for nearly 1700 of their ATMS in the last few months, with more following soon. It's predicted that one in eight machines could soon charge us to take out our money. We hear from Tim Halford, managing director of Cardtronics who defends the charges.Ofgem have scrapped a rule meaning energy suppliers must give customers 30 days notice of a price increase. Anthony Pygram Director of Conduct and Enforcement for the regulator tells us why. And it's taken listener Alex Luke two and a half years to get her bank to repay all of the £180,000 stolen from her bank account by fraudsters three Christmases ago. We hear how she did it.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor Emma RipponPhoto credit: Nidderdale Chamber of Trade

When you invest money do you care what it is used for? Would you avoid so called 'sin stocks' like tobacco, alcohol or gambling? Increasing numbers of people want to make sure their money is doing good - or at least as little harm as possible. But can you get a decent return from ethical investments? Paul Lewis and a panel of guests are taking your calls and queries about ethical investing. Guests: Lisa Stonestreet, Head of Communications at the EIRIS Foundation Tanya Pein, independent financial adviser at In2 Planning and a Director of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association Peter Michaelis, Head of Sustainable Investment, Liontrust Asset Management Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Sally Abrahams

Tens of thousands of low paid workers will face losing a week's pay or more because the firm that employs them is changing its payroll system. The pay is, in theory, just being deferred. But in practice that deferral could last until they leave their job. What will this mean for its lowest paid staff?This week a committee of MP’s heard evidence that the practice refusing to rent to people on benefits is widespread. The housing charity Shelter is calling for it to be banned but letting agents don't think this is the answer.The long term winners and losers on Universal Credit and air source heat pumps - the Government pays you to generate your own green energy so why are they so rare?Presenter : Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

As climate change protests continue, how can consumers cut carbon emissions and keep energy bills affordable? Can you be eco-friendly and stay within budget? What are the best green deals available? Share your tips for being more energy-efficient. Adam Shaw and a panel of guests are ready to hear your renewable energy questions and experiences. Email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or call 03700 100 444 after 1pm on Wednesday 24 April. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.Guests: Audrey Gallagher, Energy UK Mark Todd, energyhelpline.com Peter Smith, National Energy ActionPresenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Sally Abrahams

Criminals fraudulently stole £1.2 billion last year from our bank accounts according to the industry body UK Finance.But that’s just the tip of the iceberg - the true scale of financial fraud is hard to put a figure on. As many as four out of five people who have been stung don't report it.Fraud is an epidemic that’s seemingly out of control. In this programme, Iona Bain asks why do we fall for fraudsters? How do they manage to dupe us into hitting the transfer button on fraudulent transactions worth thousands of pounds? Can understanding this give us more of a fighting chance against them? And what’s the role of technology in all of this - both as a catalyst and as a possible cure?Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Almost 8 million people live alone in the UK and numbers are rising. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show it's more expensive to be single, so what are the financial penalties if you're not a couple? Inevitably, household expenses are more costly when you're not sharing rent or mortgage payments, energy or water bills. But outside the home, there are many ways that singletons pay a premium - whether it's more expensive holidays, hotel rooms, train fares, car insurance or even theatre tickets. On Money Box Live, we want to hear how you can cut the costs of being single. Apart from the 25% council tax discount, where else are singletons given a price reduction? And, with the number of one-person households expected to reach more than 10 million by 2039, should the government consider new policies to ease the financial burden?Share your views and experiences with Louise Cooper and guests. Email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 17 April. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.Guests: Professor Donald Hirsch, Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University Kara Gammell, personal finance journalistPresenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Sally Abrahams

The Financial Conduct Authority has warned parts of the general insurance industry that it "will not hesitate to intervene" in situations where firms fail to meet their obligations to customers. A report by the financial regulator examined short-term travel including coach trips, tradesman, GAP and motor ancillary insurance. It found some customers were sold inappropriate products, charged excessive prices or received poor service. Guests: Jonathan Davidson, Executive Director of Retail Supervision at the Financial Conduct Authority and Huw Evans, Director General of the Association of British Insurers.Money Box listener Lola reveals how thieves tricked her caller ID into displaying her bank telephone number before stealing from her account. Guest: Richard Emery, Independent Fraud Investigator.As Debenhams department store is taken over by its lenders as part of an administration process, what should customers with gift cards, wedding lists and insurance arranged via the store do? Guest: Adam French, Consumer Rights Expert for Which? The price of wholesale energy has dropped sharply over the past two months. Could it eventually lead to lower bills for around 11 million households on default tariffs who are affected by Ofgem’s price cap? Guest Ellen Fraser, Independent Energy Consultant at Baringa.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

Are you saving into a pension at work? Has this happened automatically via auto enrolment? In just six years, this Government policy has encouraged ten million more people save into a pension. But not everyone is eligible to take part. So they get no employer contribution towards their retirement pot. People paid less than ten thousand pounds a year and the self-employed are currently excluded from the scheme. Paul Lewis and expert panel discuss the future of pension saving at work. How can more people be encouraged to save for their old age?Guests: Laura Gardiner, Resolution Foundation Meredith McCammond, Low Income Tax Reform Group Will Sandbrook, Nest Insight Emma Heathcote-James, Federation of Small BusinessesEmail moneybox@bbc.co.uk or call after one o'clock call 03 700 100 444.