• Six days without post if strikes go ahead from Thurs 4th Oct- Sat 6th Oct and Mon 8th Oct - Weds 10th Oct.
• APACS advises all UK consumers expecting credit card bills, utility bills or invoices to check payment deadlines.
• Those planning to post cheques to pay bills might want to consider alternatives.
• APACS encourages use of direct debits for a hassle free payment method.

APACS, the UK payments association, is today (4 October 2007) advising all UK consumers to be mindful of the postal strikes over the next week as important post could be delayed that could have a knock on affect on finances.

Any customer concerned that an important bill or invoice has been delayed should check with their supplier about timescales: it might be possible to do this online or by looking at your last bill. Suppliers usually offer customers a number of payment options that can usually be found on the back of their bill along with their timescales for receiving payments. Options might include paying by card over the phone or online at their website. Alternatively, if you bank online or on the phone, you might be able to make a one-off payment or, decide to set up a regular direct debit. Anyone who is due to pay a bill by cheque in the post during the strike should check they are not going to miss a payment deadline and be penalised as a result.

It is always a good idea for customers to check their bank and credit card statements regularly.

Sandra Quinn, director of communications at APACS, says:

“We all tend to know what time of the month to expect our credit card bill so although your bill may not arrive in the next few days, you shouldn’t assume that payment isn’t due within the normal timescale. Your credit card company will be happy to discuss with you suitable payment options which will be unaffected by the postal strikes, such as phone or online payments.

“The postal strike serves as an effective reminder of the benefit of direct debits. By setting up a direct debit, to preferably pay off, or at the very least, make the minimum repayment every month you can ensure you never pay a late payment fee. Currently direct debits are used for 58% of all personal and household bills. They save time and effort and regardless of any external factors you can be confident your bills will be paid on time without any hassle.”

Top tips for paying bills:

1. Keep a note of when your credit card statements are due or other regular bills. 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 be done simply over the telephone.

ENDS

For further information contact the APACS Information Office:
T: 0870 420 3208 E: apacs@fourcommunications.com

Notes to editors:

APACS is the trade body that gives banks, building societies and card issuers a forum where they can work together on non-competitive issues. In a nutshell we help manage the way that businesses and individuals in the UK move their money around - this covers cash, credit and debit cards, cheques and automated payments such as direct debits, salary payments and online/phone transactions. We also champion the fight against banking fraud and are the people who have been working to give consumers greater card fraud protection by introducing chip and PIN. Twice a year we publish figures on banking fraud losses.

APACS spots five trends in the payment of bills:

1. The number of household bill payments is on the rise, from 159 per household in 2000 to 171 in 2006.
2. Direct debits accounted for over half of all regular bill payments in 2006.
3. Almost 18.1 million people are now banking online.
4. Regular payments made with cash have fallen by 33% per cent since 2000, while the number of bill payments made by cheque has fallen 32% per cent.
5. When we pay bills by cash or cheque, over 50% are made at the Post Office.