Advice issued for bill payers affected by postal strike

The Payments Council has issued advice for consumers managing payments during the national postal strikes planned on Thursday 22nd October and Friday 23rd October.

In response to yesterday’s announcement by the Communication Workers’ Union confirming the national postal strikes, bill payers are being advised to take advantage of convenient ways to pay bills, such as banking online.

The Payments Council suggests that customers will regular payment commitments should make plans for any important bills, invoices or cheque payments that are expected by post. Anyone who is due to post a cheque during the strike should also check they are not going to miss a payment deadline and be penalised as a result. Customers can check timescales with their supplier or by looking at their last bill – it might also be possible to do this online.

Suppliers usually offer customers a number of payment options that are usually listed on the back of the bill along with their timescales for receiving payments. Options might include paying by card over the phone, online at their website or at your local bank or post office. Alternatively, you may decide to set up a regular Direct Debit, or if you bank online or on the phone, you might be able to make a one-off payment.

Paul Smee, Chief Executive of the Payments Council, said:

“It’s worth taking five minutes to work out what bills, invoices or cheques you might be expecting in the post and to consider whether you want to take any action to make alternative arrangements for any of them. Increasingly you can check and pay bills online or if you haven’t already you can set up a Direct Debit.

“This national postal strike will arguably impact bill payers less than the strike that took place in October 2007. Since 2007, cheque use for paying regular bills has fallen by 27% as more of us now use Direct Debits and other forms of automated payment. There has also been a 52% increase in the use of online banking for paying regular bills.

“Last year Direct Debits were used for 76% of all personal and household bill payments. However, customers who don’t yet use Direct Debits should make sure they use an alternative form of payment to avoid receiving any late fees as a result of the strike action.”

The Payments Council offers the following top tips for paying bills:

1. Keep a note of when your credit card statements or other regular bills are due. If you think a bill may be due you should check with your supplier
2. If you have already sent a cheque to pay your credit card bill and are concerned about it getting there in time, speak to your credit card company
3. If your bill is due during the period of the strike, look at other payment options:
* pay online – if you bank online or by phone you can set up a transfer or you can log onto your credit card company’s site and pay by debit card
* pay by cash or cheque at your bank or local post office
4. Consider setting up a Direct Debit to pay at least the minimum payment on your credit card bill. This can usually be done simply over the telephone or online