Claims extracted
15
sentences that state something as happening or true
Uncertain
20%
3 of 15 hedged
("reportedly", "may", "according to")
Leaning
not political
takes no side on a contested political question
Publisher signals
68/100
BBC News's corrections and
hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.
Outlets on this story
1
Economy/Business
Same framing elsewhere
1
articles that frame the event the way this one does
- Published
If you've bought something via Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) since the summer, then you'll have been tested to see if you can afford it.
asserted
you → publish → it
BNPL has always been a type of loan, usually paid back in instalments, but it's only been officially regulated since July.
This means stricter background checks on your ability to repay.
asserted
This → pay → ability
If you fail, then your purchase via BNPL will be blocked.
asserted
purchase → fail → BNPL
If there's a chance of this happening to you, here are some ways to approach the situation.
asserted
ways → be → situation
BNPL lenders - such as Klarna, Clearpay and others - must now have regulator approval to operate, giving shoppers more access to refunds and independent rulings on complaints if things go wrong.
But new affordability checks on each BNPL transaction could also leave you blocked from services for the first time.
uncertain
checks → have → time
There are different affordability checks for different purchases, partially based on how much is borrowed.
asserted
much → be → purchases
But, with the expensive festive season approaching, here's how to avoid being blocked when time and finances are tight.
asserted
time → approach → ?
How do I avoid being blocked?
asserted
I → avoid → ?
Here are four things to consider if you find your account is closed or your borrowing limit has been massively reduced, from Sara Williams, a former volunteer debt adviser at Citizens Advice who posts tips as Debt Camel on social media.
asserted
who → consider → media
Slow down your purchases: is what you are buying essential or can you postpone it?
asserted
you → slow → it
Be more careful about what you buy to avoid needing a high credit limit to, for example, buy lots of clothes in different sizes
Cancel subscriptions to escape the trap of having to use BNPL to make up for the cost of previous payments
Talk to debt charities for help and access to food bank vouchers if you are using BNPL for essentials
Avoid getting into debt
If you are struggling to make repayments on any type of loan - BNPL or otherwise - you should seek help before things spiral out of control.
asserted
things → buy → control
The government-backed, independent, MoneyHelper website, external has a guide to finding free debt advice near you, external.
asserted
website → back → you
It also suggests writing down exactly what you owe, to help plan how you will repay the money.
uncertain
you → suggest → money
There are also tools to work out if you are receiving all the benefits and grants you are entitled to, and a bill prioritiser, external to show which payments to make first and what to do if you miss a payment.
asserted
you → be → payment
You should also be sceptical of supposed debt solutions you might see on your social feeds.
uncertain
you → suppose → feeds
The Aporia
