A great stamp duty rush, and how to ring the changes on nuisance calls

Both house sales and mortgage lending spiked in March as buyers sought to avoid the new stamp duty rules. Photograph: Alamy

Hello and welcome to this week’s Money Talks – a roundup of the week’s biggest stories and some things you may have missed.

Money news

Rush to beat stamp duty changes causes surge in housing market activity

Sim-swap fraud claims another mobile banking victim

FCA wins landbanking case, but investors still likely to lose out

Age UK criticised over E.ON partnership

Older homeowners unlocked £393m from properties in early 2016

Stamp duty U-turn brings tax relief for ‘granny flat’ buyers

Self-employed set up co-operatives to share costs and services

Feature

Hello? All too often it’s a silent phone call or spam message. Photograph: Alamy

Plagued by nuisance calls? It’s time to ring some strategic changes

In pictures

You could throw the party of your life here, and no one would ever know. Photograph: Square Foot Media

Homes for hospitality

In the spotlight

Jodie Hinchliffe with her partner Luke and their daughter Georgie. Photograph: John Robertson for the Guardian

How we helped a family win the £400,000 Royal London refused to pay

Consumer champions

Vodafone messes up my direct debit, then issues a late payment charge

The London to Margate train journey that cost £268

Friends Life cut my pension by half, then failed to sort it out

Money deals

If you’re looking for a mortgage, the Guardian mortgage service’s new look site has the tools you need to help you find a great deal.

Get competitive exchange rates, free online transfers and expert advice with the Guardian money transfer service.