Dodgy teaser savings rates that shame banks

Almost four million of us have made the costly mistake fallen for the banks' cheap marketing tactics

Counting up the loot (Getty)

Have you been caught out by the savings rate bonus scam? I have. I was a tempted when my bank told me about its new Best-ever Super-special Precious Metal savings account that paid possibly half a per cent more interest than I was getting with my existing account.

I slung my meagre rainy day savings into it and sat back expecting to reap the rewards when I needed the cash. It would no doubt have grown to a pleasing sum, I expected.

Of course it didn’t. After a year the interest rate shrunk to a pathetic 0.1 per cent. I had been so excited about the headline rate I had ignored the fact that it was a dodgy teaser rate, designed to sucker me into getting almost nothing on my savings.

3.78 million savers over the past five years have had money in accounts paying attractive short-term bonuses, but ended up with low interest

&#13; <p>The Fair Banking Foundation</p>&#13;

I know I’m far from alone in falling for the unpleasant trick but new research suggests that almost four million of us have become victims of the banks’ cheap marketing tactics.

The Fair Banking Foundation reckons that 3.78 million savers over the past five years had money in accounts paying attractive short-term bonuses, but who failed to move their cash once the deal ended.

A fifth admitted they didn’t know the bonus had ended while almost half simply forgot to move their cash. Interestingly another fifth failed to move because they just got tired of chasing short-term bonuses.

It is a tiring business keeping on top of your finances to ensure you’re always getting the best deal. I know plenty of people who actually enjoy doing so and use the latest apps to ensure they’re informed of new deals and when old deals expire. They can tell you which bank or building society currently has the best savings rate and how much you should deposit with them to get it.

But I know there are millions more who simply want a safe home for their savings that offers a decent, steady return; it doesn’t have to be the best rate on offer, but should be a reasonably competitive rate so they’re not left feeling ripped off. Come on banks, start being fair with savers.