Ahead of the nationwide postal strikes, Britons are urged to ensure they will not be hit with late payment fines for credit cards, utility bills and other financial commitments usually paid via mail.

With Britain to be hit by national post strikes later on this week, people are being advised to take steps to avoid being hit late payment charges for credit cards and other financial commitments.

As the Communication Workers’ Union points out that strike action is planned to take place this Thursday and Friday (October 22nd and 23rd), the Payment Council states that those who normally pay bills by cheque should endeavour to find out if they will be fined in the event that such a payment is made late.

Consequently, consumers are advised to investigate other payment options, for example paying by debit or credit card online, over the phone or at a post office or bank branch.

In addition, the council claims that the setting up of a direct debit scheme from a bank account can ensure money will be paid on time and that they will not incur any charges.

“It’s worth taking five minutes to work out what bills, invoices or cheques you might be expecting in the post and to consider whether you want to take any action to make alternative arrangements for any of them,” Paul Smee, chief executive of the Payments Council, states.

Such comments come as figures from the organisation reveal that just over a quarter (28 per cent) of credit card bills are paid via direct debit, with cheques used for 23 per cent of demands for payment.

The study also shows 26 per cent of such bills are paid over the telephone or using an online bank account, with direct debits making up 76 per cent of all personal and household bill payments.

It also indicates that 22 million adults made use of online banking services in 2008 when managing their current account.

Such advice comes as Jane Baker pointed out in a recent lovemoney.com piece that being late with repayments on a 0% balance transfer card can see lenders cancel the 0% deal and charging borrowers a “very costly debt”.

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