Cashpoints: Fake loans warning for indebted households

This week's top stories • Borrowers struggling to get credit from their banks and building societies are being urged to beware companies offering fake loans for a fee . Citizens Advice says it is seeing growing evidence of bogus loan companies preying on people who, typically, are already in debt. • Money can't buy you happiness but, a survey reveals, being in control of your finances most certainly does . The study from insurer Aviva shows that good health is seen as twice as important as the capacity to earn more money. • First-time buyers in April made up the lowest proportion of total house purchasers since September 2007 , according to figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders. • Do you have any feedback on any of these issues that you want to get off your chest? Email us at [email protected] Feature Cut price hair clippers for Father's Day Looking for a good present for your dad for Father's Day this Sunday? Male hair clippers are all the rage with chaps of a certain barbigerous bent. In 1919 Leo J Wahl patented his electromagnetic hair clipper. It was the first practical clipper with the drive motor in the hand rather than being connected to a separate motor through a flexible shaft ,and for almost 100 years Wahl has been a leader in the professional and home grooming category. Read the article in full here Ask the experts: Homebuying Question of the week: "My mortgage lender won't drop its mortgage rate. Does it make sense to switch to an offset mortgage seeing as I have some savings?" Our homebuying expert Virginia Wallis says: "It probably would be worthwhile switching your mortgage, even taking into account all the various fees you will have to pay. But to find out for certain, use the Guardian's mortgage switching calculator …" Read the answer in full here • Any questions? Email our panel of experts on financial concerns, consumer gripes, legal wrangles, debt worries and career-related problems at [email protected] Tools Compare broadband deals Search online or call for advice on the best broadband internet package for your needs