Thoughts on Finance, Current Affairs and General Consumer Ripoffs - Damn Lies and Statistics

After being stung by Vodafone's massive hike in global roaming charges I'm looking at alternatives for a visit to the USA this year. With the mandatory Vodafone Global Roaming you pay £5 per day for every day you use your phone regardless of the usage. So if you send 6 text messages on different days you'll pay £30 for the privilege which is extortionate and a massive hike on the previous roaming options. Worst of all this change is not optional, everyone is switched to this fee for using abroad outside EU - and who knows if it will affect EU countries too after Brexit. It appears the cheapest option is to buy a PAYG Sim for the 3 network with preloaded credit for 12Gb data and calls/texts which is £20. There are cheaper options with  less data if needed. Just be aware - if you use your Vodafone SIM anyone outside EU free roaming you will be charged the £5 per day for every day it's activated.

The website Top ISA Rates is heavily advertising on Facebook claiming to offer 8% Tax free for a "Fully Secured ISA". This may not be an out and out scam but it's certainly highly misleading as the 8% rates being offered are nothing like fully secured and certainly nothing like a bank savings account that is fully FSCS protected. Top ISA Rates Review - Is 8% Really True or a Scam? You can't access your money for the duration of the investment so the picture of a cash machine is highly dubious and again designed to mislead. Presumably highlight their claim that the ISA is fully secured like a bank account they are showing this queue of people at a cash machine. Yet the ISA that is offering 8% on their website is by London Capital and Finance and comes with the following disclaimer. Investing in bonds means your capital is at risk and payments are not guaranteed if borrowers default.  At least LCF are more honest with their adverts and state that capital i...