ASK TONY: Lloyds dropped the ball over my son’s football club finances and left us facing a payment penalty
As the secretary for my son’s football club I approve payments submitted to the Lloyds online portal by the treasurer.
But for three months I’ve had messages saying: ‘Your payment may have been unsuccessful.’
I’ve spent hours on the phone to Lloyds. When I called most recently there was no update, and I realised it is not taking the issue seriously.
K. B., Horsham, W. Sussex.
Transfer windows: Lloyds bank’s payments system has left one children’s football club secretary scoring own goals
Tony Hazell replies: Like a dodgy goalkeeper, Lloyds has dropped the ball here. With some prodding from me, it has tracked down the issue, but it is complex.
It seems to be down to a computer program and whether you choose multiple payments or recipients.
Lloyds has told you of a work-around solution while it sorts out the issue. It apologised and agreed to make a £250 goodwill payment.
Billed £108 for Uber trips I never took
I’ve been trying to get a £108.73 refund for four fraudulent trips on my Uber account, but Uber claims a device affiliated with my account made them.
I haven’t used Uber since Christmas Day 2019 and don’t even have the app. I lost my job due to Covid-19 and I can’t afford this.
E. C., South London.
Tony Hazell replies: Someone was charging their trips to Hackney and Essex to you. You say you never go to these areas, and that Uber was unhelpful.
A spokesman says it ‘monitors for fraudulent activity and triggers two-step verification, as well as an email notification, if it identifies suspicious activity’. Well, it missed this! It has finally refunded you and apologised.
The spokesman adds: ‘If anyone sees any unfamiliar activity on their Uber account, reach out through the app or at help.uber.com.’
The dos and don’ts of DIY wills
I am 83 and I’m updating my will, which will be self-written. I did the same for two friends who have since died and there was no issue.
But one friend had outstanding tax owed. Keen to avoid the same situation, I contacted HMRC, which said I am up to date. Apparently my small private pension pays the tax.
J. F., Leicester.
Tony Hazell replies: You did the right thing in contacting HMRC. Each year you should receive both a coding notice, which will show the income HMRC believes you receive as well as your tax code, and an annual tax summary.
If you have a BR code, your income from that source is being taxed at a minimum of the basic rate of 20 per cent, while D0 means a 40 per cent tax rate.
Your first £12,500 will be tax-free (known as the personal allowance), as is your first £1,000 of savings interest (or £500 for higher-rate taxpayers).
Your state pension is taxable but is paid without tax being deducted, so HMRC takes this off your personal allowance instead.
Make sure HMRC isn’t over-estimating any savings interest, too.
I’d like to add that I’m against DIY wills. A simple will doesn’t cost much, and even complex ones are good value.
Or wait for Free Wills Month (freewillsmonth.org.uk) in March, when some solicitors will write simple wills for over-55s in return for a charity donation. A self-penned one can cause hassle if you make a mistake.