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

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Money Box: NHS Prescriptions and Banks Defy Customers to Stop Fraud

22/07/2023

NHS Prescriptions and Banks Defy Customers to Stop Fraud

BBC Radio 4 - Money Box, NHS Prescriptions and Banks Defy Customers to Stop Fraud

Call to simplify the system for NHS prescription exemptions in England.

Bank employees went against customers wishes 11,643 times last year to help stop tens of millions of pounds being lost to fraud.

Sick people in England are being caught out by the complex rules which exempt some from NHS prescription charges. The Patients Association says the rules surrounding the £9.65 per item levy should be simplified. The call comes after Money Box listeners told us how they struggled to navigate the rules.  The NHS Business Services Authority which runs the system told us "Patients can check they are eligible for free NHS prescriptions before claiming by using the free eligibility checker at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check. It takes just three minutes".

Money Box can exclusively reveal that £55 million of fraud was prevented last year by bank and building society employees deliberately ignoring customers' instructions to transfer their money to thieves. They're allowed to do that in a branch because of what is called the banking protocol - a UK-wide law that allows staff in the branch to stop transfers and ask customers what they're doing with their money and why. We'll hear from Sophie who saved one of her customers £90,000.

And, what does this week's fall in inflation really mean for your personal finances?

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle

(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 22nd July, 2023)

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