Money roundup video: Shopping online; why credit brokers are facing a crackdown and video banking

The Independent’s Personal Finance Editor Simon Read talks over the latest Money news.

This week: your rights when shopping online; why credit brokers are facing a crackdown; and what to expect from video banking

Your rights when Christmas shopping online

Shoppers planning to buy Christmas gifts through the internet have been reminded of their rights by Citizens Advice. Distance-selling rules protect online shoppers from being stung by hidden costs, late delivery and rip-off charges. It means you can cancel an online order or return goods within 14 days to get a full refund, including on delivery costs. Check your online shopping rights at Adviceguide.org.uk

Credit brokers

Companies which charge an upfront fee for passing hard-up borrowers to payday lenders and others will face strict new rules from January.

The Financial Conduct Authority has announced the tough new regime bypassing its standard consultation period for the credit broking industry on fears of “further detriment” to consumers.

From next year the firms will have to stop taking fees without permission and explain to consumers that they are not lenders but just loan arrangers.

Full story here.

Video banking

Do you see eye-to-eye with your bank? Barclays customers will be able to do just that from next Monday, 8 December, when it introduces video banking.

Barclays – along with the Queen’s bank Coutts - has launched the service for upmarket customers, but it will soon be offered to all.

The service will be available 24 hours a day from smartphones, tablets or computers. It will be available just to customers of its Premier account to begin with, but then rolled out to its mortgage, business and wealth customers from early 2015.