Contactless technology trialled by Barclaycard

By Julie Sherrier

A new contactless payment system, which allows people to make charitable donations, was trialled by Barclaycard in London in September.

The event, held at the Oxo Tower on the city's South Bank, saw some 150 people use preloaded cards to make the transactions.

A total of £750, which will be shared by three organisations, was raised through the payments.

Guests were given the £5 cards and were asked to hold them close to one of the new contactless terminals.

"This is a further example of how contactless technology can be used in the future, to enable people to make charitable donations, via their contactless payment cards in a quick and easy manner without having to scramble around for loose cash, as well as for use in a traditional retail environment," commented Stewart Roberts, business development director for payment acceptance at Barclaycard.

Postal strikes delaying credit card repayments

By UK CreditCards.com

Credit card holders are facing negative credit ratings as a result of ongoing postal strikes in the UK.

That is according to Consumer Focus, which revealed that bill repayments and balance statements are trapped in a backlog of mail.

Industrial action by around 20,000 Royal Mail employees since July is threatening customers' credit ratings and imposing late payment fees because banks are unwilling to make exceptions for late repayments.

Consumer Focus and opposition parties called on providers to be more understanding of the effect wider circumstances can have on bill payments.

Vince Cable, Treasury spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, added: "It is simply outrageous for banks to be landing thousands of customers with yet more charges for delays that aren't their fault. Banks must be more flexible over payment delays caused by postal strikes. They should pay back these punitive charges and end this practice immediately."