Mobile Phone Scams and Scottish Widows

Criminals are targeting victims more effectively and exploiting banking apps on phones to steal thousands of pounds. That's the warning from one of the UK's most senior fraud officers, Detective Superintendent John Roch, who runs the Economic Crime Unit for London's Metropolitan Police. He's been speaking exclusively to Money Box - and you can hear that interview in full.

The Financial Conduct Authority has told this programme it has been speaking to Scottish Widows about concerns over the company's poor customer service. For the past year Money Box has been investigating complaints about the insurance and pensions firm. Customers have been contacting us to say they have faced lengthy delays when they have tried to get hold of their money. We'll hear from some of those listeners and get a response from Scottish Widows which says its overall service levels are getting back to normal as it continues to work hard behind the scenes. It says it has significantly increased the number of colleagues answering calls and dealing with customer requests.

Long-awaited plans to shake up the private rented sector in England were finally released this week. The Renters’ Reform Bill includes some very significant changes, including abolishing section 21 or so-called "no-fault" evictions and preventing landlords from banning tenants who claim benefits or have children. We'll discuss what this means for renters' rights.

And war widows who were forced to forfeit their pensions will receive a lump sum payment after a long running campaign. How will it work and who's eligible?

Presenter: Felicity Hannah Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle

(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 20th May 2023)