More data lost

BBC Radio 4's Money Box Saturday 03 November at 1204 GMT On Radio 4 and Online Read the transcript

Fifteen thousand customers of Standard Life may be at risk of identity fraud after a CD, with their personal information on, went missing.

The disc was lost as it was being sent from the Revenue office in Newcastle to the insurance company's headquarters in Edinburgh.

The people affected have a pension with Standard Life.

Moneybox reported on the latest developments and talked to John Gill, managing director for customer service with Standard life.

Further information:

Thousands at risk after data loss

Revenue laptop theft investigated

M&S staff at risk in laptop theft

Nationwide laptop fine

MPs call for identity fraud tsar

External links and helplines

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Credit card consumer protection

Card purchases of £100 to £30,000 are insured, under "section 75"

Credit card firms have been
told by the House of Lords they must refund people who buy goods and services abroad, that are undelivered or damaged.

The Law Lords dismissed an appeal by Lloyds TSB and Tesco Personal Finance, who had challenged the application of the Consumer Credit Act.

The decision has been welcomed by the Office of Fair Trading.

Moneybox talked to its executive director, Sean Thomas, and Sandra Quinn from APACS.

Further information:

Card companies lose refund case

BBC consumer guide to credit: Liability of credit card companies

Tricky questions at cashpoints abroad

External links and helplines

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World markets

Dollar or pound - just how much will your wad be worth?

It has been another turbulent week on the world's stock markets.

Shares fell sharply across the globe as the recent problems in the wholesale credit markets continued to shake confidence.

Falling share prices have been overshadowed by the soaring cost of oil, which reached near record levels on supply fears.

The price of gold and other precious metals has also been rising.

Leading fund manager Ian Henderson, who runs the £1.4bn JP Morgan Global Resources Fund, is now predicting that the world is at the start of a "super cycle" that could see commodity prices continue to increase for the next hundred years.

But should retail investors put money into such a volatile sector?

We talked to Justin Urquhart Stewart of Seven Investment Management and Mark Dampier, head of research at Hargreaves Lansdown

Further information:

Dollar falls further against euro

World markets hit by credit woes

Market data

External links and helplines

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Energy

It is feared that oil prices, at record highs, will push up energy charges

There has been a call for the government to ensure all energy suppliers provide cheaper fuel for less well-off families.

This comes amid fears that prices may rise again this winter.

Moneybox debated the issue with Adam Scorer, head of campaigns at Energywatch and Duncan Sedgwick, chief executive of the Energy Retail Association.

Further information:

Oil back near $96 after respite

What is driving oil prices so high?

Have Your Say: Energy

External links and helplines

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BBC Radio 4's Money Box was broadcast on Saturday, 3 November 2007 at 1204 GMT.

The programme was repeated on Sunday, 4 November 2007 at 2102 GMT.