A glitch on the Bank of Scotland app allowed hundreds of customers to see other users’ transactions

A glitch with the Bank of Scotland app has enabled hundreds of customers to view other users’ transactions on their accounts.

Customers flagged the error on Thursday morning (March 12) to the Lloyds Banking Group – which runs Bank of Scotland, Lloyds and Halifax. The bank confirmed the matter had been investigated and rectified within a matter of hours.

Lauren Johnstone, from Strathaven in South Lanarkshire, said she was left furious when she woke to discover a Liverpool-based account displayed on her mobile. Her partner sounded the alarm after receiving a notification of a £1,000 transaction appearing on his device.

Upon quickly accessing the Bank of Scotland app, Lauren was able to view DVLA car payments showing registration plate numbers, salary details, and child benefit payments that were not hers or her partner’s.

Lauren, 36, told the Daily Record: “My partner and I are getting married and we have a joint account so when he saw a transaction being sent out for £1,000, he immediately asked what I was spending a grand on. I wasn’t spending any money, so I jumped on my phone to find someone else’s account displaying on my app.

“You could see all of their payments including their salaries, car registration number for a direct debit to DVLA and even child benefit payments. On my partner’s phone, he was getting a new account shown every time he opened the app.

“I complained to Bank of Scotland and all they told me at the time was that they’re looking into it. The account being shown on my phone was Liverpool-based. I have no doubt if I could see someone else’s account, people could see mine. This is a massive and outrageous data breach that should never have happened.”

Several customers turned to social media to post screenshots of unfamiliar transactions appearing on their mobile app that did not belong to them.

Donald MacLeod, from the Highlands, said his wife had been affected. He wrote: “My wife woke up this morning to someone else’s account and transactions in her Bank of Scotland app. Seen someone with Lloyds account having the same issue. Seems to be widespread problem.”

Debz Lawson said: “Anyone else’s Bank of Scotland app randomly give someone else’s transaction history when they logged on this morning?”

Financial expert Martin Lewis said he had also received a flood of messages regarding the error. Writing on X, he appealed to his followers: “Do you use the Lloyds, Bank of Scotland or Halifax apps? People have been messsaging me this morning of being shown other peoples transactions.

“I want to see how widespread this is. Has it happened to you. If so a) What are you seeing? Which app. b) If it is someone else’s transactions, does it give any of their details too (name, account number etc)?”

Halifax customers also reported experiencing the same issue. Gavin Harrison stated: “Logged onto Halifax this morning and whilst my balance was correct all I could see were transactions I didn’t recognise, I assume from someone else’s account. Unfortunately I didn’t check anymore details before logging out and in again, then my correct transactions were shown.

“I could though see where all the transactions were made and the amounts for each of them, despite it being my overall balance that was displayed.”

A spokesperson for Lloyds Banking Group commented: “We’re sorry that some customers experienced an issue viewing transactions in the app for a short time this morning. The issue was quickly resolved and we’re looking into what happened.”

Arthritis UK has warned the Work and Pensions Committee that people with arthritis risk missing out on benefits like PIP and Universal Credit as the state pension age increases

Experts have raised concerns about changes to the state pension qualifying rules. MPs discussed the risk of people “underclaiming” and not receiving the full range of DWP benefits they are entitled to.

From April 2026, the age at which you can begin claiming your state pension will rise from the current 66, gradually increasing to 67 by April 2028. Policy experts fear the extended wait could have a significant impact on some individuals, particularly those who have medical conditions.

The Work and Pensions Committee recently discussed the increase in the state pension age. Joe Levenson, assistant director of UK Advocacy and Health Intelligence at charity Arthritis UK, told the MPs: “Everyday, 1,200 people are diagnosed with arthritis, and we know that a significant number of them are unable to work at some stage because of arthritis.

“Around half the people tell us that they struggle to work. Arthritis has an impact on their ability to be employed. That is the context for our worries about the transition to a higher state pension age.”

He said the organisation had conducted a large survey of people with arthritis, which had some concerning findings, reports the Mirror.

Mr Levenson said: “It showed that once people were over the state pension age, they were far less likely to report struggling to get by financially, and almost twice as likely to struggle to get by financially as the cohort immediately before state pension age. I think that speaks volumes.

“It shows we are failing people, and we are worried that people who live with arthritis and many other long-term health conditions are collateral damage in the changes that we have seen, including a rise in state pension age without mitigation.”

He had some suggestions for what extra support should be offered to help people approaching retirement age.

Mr Levenson stated: “Given we know that people approaching state pension age can be at greater risk of poverty, we need to focus on income. Part of that is making sure that people are aware of existing benefits that they can claim.

“We know that there is still underclaiming. We know that that is because of a lack of awareness, but the complications in the system can also be bewildering even to the most well-informed.”

What other benefits can people with arthritis claim?

One form of assistance for individuals of working age living with arthritis is PIP (Personal Independence Payment). This can be claimed to help cover the additional costs associated with living with a long-term health condition, if it impacts either your mobility or your daily living needs.

Through this scheme, you can receive up to £749.80 every four-week pay period. If you’re on a low income, you might also be eligible for Universal Credit.

For those aged 25 and over, this provides £400.14 a month for single claimants or £628.10 for couples, at the standard rate.

Additional amounts may be available depending on your circumstances. Upon reaching state pension age, you may be eligible to apply for Pension Credit, which supplements your income to £227.10 per week for single claimants and up to £346.60 if you have a partner.

Further amounts are available on top of this, such as £82.90 per week if you have a severe disability.

If you have a health condition that affects you to the extent you need someone else to care for you, you may also qualify for Attendance Allowance, which pays £73.90 or £110.40 per week.

The DWP has confirmed that disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), will rise by 3.8 per cent in 2026 – here are the new payment rates

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance will increase by 3.8 per cent for the 2026/27 financial year. The revised weekly payment rates will come into effect from 6 April 2026.

At present, PIP ranges from £29.20 to £187.45 per week, with payments typically issued every four weeks which equates to awards of between £116.80 and £749.80.

A 3.8 per cent rise will see payments increase to between £30.30 and £194.60, or £121.20 and £778.40 every four-week payment period, according to the Daily Record.

PIP payment rates for 2026/27.

PIP is made up of two components – daily living and mobility. From Monday, 6 April, PIP will be paid at the following amounts per week:, reports the Mirror.

Daily Living component.

• Enhanced: £114.60 (from £110.40)
• Standard: £76.70 (from £73.90)

Mobility component.

• Enhanced: £80.00 (from £77.05)
• Standard: £30.30 (from £29.20)

PIP payment combinations for 2026/27.

Individuals on PIP could receive the lowest rate of one or both parts, the highest rate of one or both parts, or a mixed award of the lower or higher rates of each component.

The DWP will send letters to all claimants before April detailing their new payment rates. There are eight possible awards, these are listed below.

Single component award only.

You may be awarded the lower or higher daily living or mobility component:

• Standard daily living only – £76.70 per week, £306.80 per pay period
• Enhanced daily living only – £114.60 per week, £458.40 per pay period
• Standard mobility only – £30.30 per week, £121.20 per pay period
• Enhanced mobility only – £80.00 per week, £320.00 per pay period

Lower rate for daily living and mobility.

If you are on the lower rates of both components, your new payments are forecast to be:

• Standard daily living and standard mobility – £107 per week, £428 per pay period

Higher rate for daily living and mobility.

If you are on the higher rates of both components, your new payments are forecast to be:

• Enhanced daily living and enhanced mobility – £194.60 per week, £778.40 per pay period

Lower rate of one component and higher rate of the other.

If you are on the lower rate of one component and the higher rate of the other, your new payments are forecast to be:

• Standard daily living and enhanced mobility – £156.70 per week, £626.80 per pay period
• Enhanced daily living and standard mobility – £144.90 per week, £579.60 per pay period

Remember, PIP and all disability benefits are tax-free and do not affect the benefit cap.

The family have had to go without heating to pay their bills

A mum-of-two has spoken about how soaring pet bills have left her family struggling to get by. The costs of specialist dog food and other treatment has meant she has had to delay paying other bills and even keep the heating off during winter.

Issabell Livesey, from Cambridgeshire, receives £1,230 a month in Universal Credit and £180 in Child Benefit. Her regular bills include £1,000 for her rent and between £150 and £200 in water and energy bills. This means she is left with between £522 and £572 to cover her other essentials. She spends £150 a month on her two presa canarios, a large breed of dog, and these costs have shot up in recent months. The mum said: “I prioritise my dogs’ care above all else. Between insurance, specialist food, flea and worm treatments, I’d say a significant chunk of my monthly allowance goes on them. The specialist food for Koubla and Xena has risen by nearly 20 percent over the past year, and emergency vet visits can cost over £150 in one go, which is almost a quarter of my monthly income.

“My pet bills are around £150 a month, which is a significant part of my Universal Credit, but they are family.” Issabell has two children, Mika, 3, and Arvi, 5, and the family have had to maintain a tight budget as their living costs have risen.

She said: “As a parent of two with two big dogs, my budget is a jigsaw puzzle. Over the last few years, our food and energy bills have jumped by nearly 25 percent, meaning I have become an expert at ‘yellow sticker’ shopping and social tariffs just to make sure the kids and the dogs don’t feel the pinch.”

Social tariffs are worth exploring if you are receiving benefits such as Universal Credit. These are hugely discounted mobile and broadband packages available to those on a low income or claiming certain benefits.

You can check the tariffs on offer via the Ofcom website. Issabell said she has had to make sacrifices to provide for her two dogs.

‘It’s exhausting’

She said: “I often delay paying utility bills, walk instead of using public transport, and keep the heating off during winter. It’s exhausting, but I can’t compromise on my dogs’ health – they are my emotional support and my lifeline.

When asked whether she would ever consider rehoming her dogs to reduce her bills, the mum said: “No, absolutely not. Koubla and Xena are part of my family. Rehoming them would be devastating for all of us emotionally.

“I’d rather make sacrifices in my own life than see them suffer.” She also said: “My dogs are part of my family. They protect us and our home.”

Research from lender Creditspring found that 59 percent of pet owners have seen their costs increase compared to a year ago. This included a 45 percent rise in routine vet expenses, while emergency treatment costs have climbed by a third.

Fewer than three in 10 respondents said they would have sufficient savings to cover an unexpected £500 bill. Tamsin Powell, consumer finance expert at Creditspring, said: “Pets are part of the family and most owners will do whatever they can to keep them healthy. But when food, insurance and routine care are all rising at once – and an unexpected vet bill can run into the hundreds – it doesn’t take much for a household budget to tip into stress.

“Our research shows many pet owners would have to borrow, use a payment plan, or cut back elsewhere to cover a £500 treatment cost. Borrowing isn’t anyone’s first choice, but these numbers show how quickly a surprise cost becomes a crisis when people don’t have a buffer.”

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Halifax customers need to be aware of strict deposit limits

Halifax customers should familiarise themselves with a particular cash rule that applies to all account holders. When depositing money into the bank, there is a threshold that must not be exceeded, with separate guidelines governing cash and cheques.

As banks increasingly operate with reduced staffing levels and resources, self-service alternatives have streamlined certain transactions. One such option enables customers to pay cash directly into their accounts using ATM-style machines at branches, which count and collect notes without the need to queue for assistance.

At branches across the country, these self-service machines impose a strict upper limit of £2,995 on the maximum deposit amount. Account holders can circumvent this restriction by visiting the bank counter, where staff are able to handle larger cash sums.

Customers are advised to confirm that the amount of cash they wish to pay in adheres to the relevant ‘rules’, as there are alternative methods available, each carrying slightly differing regulations. Should further assistance be required, visiting a branch in person may be the most suitable course of action.

As of early 2026, Halifax has approximately 341 branches remaining across the UK. All available cash deposit methods are listed online and include:

Halifax permits customers to deposit cheques via its mobile app up to £10,000 per day. For larger sums, or if the app is unavailable to you, cheques can be deposited at a Post Office or a Halifax branch, where higher limits may apply:

• At PayPoint stores: Using the app, customers can pay up to £300 once a day. If using a debit card, people can pay up to £300 per transaction. Visit PayPoint to find the nearest location for you.
• At a Post Office: Halifax customers can pay in up to £2,995 in a single deposit at their local Post Office. You can locate your nearest branch on the Post Office’s website here.

Banking Hubs serve as alternatives for those who don’t have access to a physical branch of their banking provider nearby. These are communal banking spaces in local areas where residents can undertake routine banking tasks.

According to the Halifax website: “They’re owned by Cash Access UK and run by the Post Office. Banking Hubs are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. There’s a full list of Banking Hub locations on the Cash Access UK website.”

On a specific weekday, Halifax may also position a Community Banker at a hub in your vicinity. They can assist with banking matters and account queries, with information about finding your closest location accessible online, reports the Mirror.

Most high street banks have comparable cash limitations in operation, including Lloyds, Nationwide, NatWest, and Ulster Bank, among others. These protocols exist to protect customers from fraud and to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. Such restrictions help control risk by identifying, monitoring, and examining substantial or regular cash deposits.

How can I keep myself protected when depositing money?

A Halifax spokesperson said: “When using your phone, be aware that criminals may stand close behind you to get your passwords. Always keep your phone and card in a safe place and don’t share devices.”

Use well-lit cash machines in busy areas. Always shield your PIN when entering it to prevent others from seeing it. Regularly check your bank statements and report any unauthorised or suspicious activity immediately.