Shoppers 'ignoring bank balance'

Many people may not be keeping a regular check of their finances

Thousands of Scots may go Christmas shopping without knowing how much they have in their bank accounts, according to a survey.

A Clydesdale Bank poll of 1,000 people, conducted during September and October, suggested almost 60% admitted being scared to check their account.

About a third said failing to check their balance kept them awake at night.

The survey said one in three people were surprised to find they had more in their account than they thought.

Only 8% of those surveyed found they had less money than they feared.

The problems mount when you 'guesstimate' the amount in your account and continue Christmas shopping Steve Reid Clydesdale Bank

The research suggested 18% were only planning to check their balance after they had been Christmas shopping.

However, one in five of those polled said they overspent at Christmas in previous years because they did not check their finances.

Steve Reid, Clydesdale Bank' s retail banking director, said it was worrying many people were not keeping a regular check of their finances.

"The problems mount when you 'guesstimate' the amount in your account and continue Christmas shopping," he said.