BBC expert issues supermarket loyalty card warning that could see your bills go up

An expert has appeared on the BBC, warning people that they may not be saving as much as they think they are. And in fact, you could be spending more.

Talking on BBC Morning Live, hosts Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton spoke to a consumer expert about supermarket loyalty card spending challenges and why they can be harmful in some cases. According to Skelton, when it comes to our supermarket shop, "some companies have been under fire for introducing spending challenges to their loyalty cards".

Discussing what's happening, consumer champion Vix Leyton explained: "Four of the big dog supermarkets - Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Asda - have added to their loyalty schemes. They've introduced some little games, some little challenges to get you to spend more, or spend more often."

She adds: "Now, you might think 'great more ways to save money' and if you were strategic, you could be right. But Which? and StepChange, the debt charity, are a little bit concerned that this is going to encourage people to spend money that they just don't have."

Talking about many people's financial situation amid inflation, bringing the cost of our food shop up, she highlights: "It's a cost of living crisis, you're going in with a budget, you know what you've got to get, you've got a list ready and then there's an opportunity to earn a few extra points - hundreds of points even. You think 'oh I might as well spend an extra £3'.

"You look at what's around you and you impulse buy. Maybe you put three chocolate bars in your basket. You didn't need them, you spent a little bit more, is it responsible?"

BBC Morning Live noted that the big four supermarkets responded. The expert said the following: "Tesco said its Clubcard challenges were all about rewarding customers for buying the products they regularly purchase while Sainsbury's said it's shops for point challenges went from May 8 until June 4 was offered to selected customers and its bonus points were issued based on the number of shops customers complete with a minimum qualifying spend of £1 per shop.

"Morrisons said the Morrisons Collectors promotion is tailored to customers and reward shoppers with personalised offers and asda said that the savings customers make on its app are held in a personal cash pot and can be redeemed to reduce grocery bills whenever people chose to use it."

If you are in need of financial help or debt advice, you can visit the StepChange website.