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Martin Lewis’s Charity Presses Banks for Standard Safeguards to Stop Risky PIN Sharing

The institute wants a basic set of shared-access options embedded in the UK’s Financial Inclusion Strategy to let people delegate limited tasks safely.

Overview

  • Analysis of FCA 2022 data suggests 22% of people with mental health problems have shared PINs or credentials, and the charity estimates nearly two million could be affected.
  • Demand for support is high, with 42% saying they wanted help from a trusted person to manage day‑to‑day finances, but safe options are often lacking.
  • Across 18 current account providers reviewed, only seven offer carers’ cards, three provide third‑party notifications and just one enables limited partial access with payment controls.
  • MMHPI is calling for a minimum package of tools — carers’ cards, third‑party alerts and third‑party payment controls — and a review of Power of Attorney arrangements that many find too rigid.
  • UK Finance says some tools exist but secure shared access is legally complex, and it supports work with regulators and charities, noting a clear legislative framework could enable more consistent solutions.