How insurers are watching you online, and is it time to switch energy provider?

With 23 fixed-term energy deals expiring in November, and 41 in December, consumers have been advised to look for a new supplier. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo

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

‘Switch and save’ say energy experts, as fixed-rate tariffs end

Cheque processing centres to close with 600 job losses

Intelligent Processing Solutions, which processes 5m cheques a day, plans to slash operations to two sites. Photograph: Simon Dack/Alamy

Triple-lock pension should be scrapped, say MPs

Rise in sales of £1m-plus homes despite high stamp duty bills

Homebuyers return but struggle to find suitable properties, says Rics

Higher inflation and rising debt threaten millions in UK

Thousands of Tesco Bank accounts compromised by fraud

Feature

The ground rent scandal that is engulfing new home buyers

There has been a huge response from readers caught out by leases with sky-rocketing ground rents, such as on flats in this block in Dudley. Photograph: David Sillitoe for the Guardian

In pictures

Homes with spiral staircases

A barn conversion with two spiral staircases for sale in Hertfordshire. Photograph: Mullocks Wells

In the spotlight

Admiral may have been forced to pull plans to use Facebook to find out more about customers, but insurers are using a wealth of personal information to set your premiums – in some cases looking at how much you spend on your weekly shopping

Insurers will look at pictures you post online to gain an insight into your lifestyle and choices. Photograph: AleksandarGeorgiev/Getty Images

Consumer Champions

I’ve tried everything to get a BT line, but to no avail

A minor shunt that brought my credit rating crashing down

Seeing red when my London Bus Driving School course disappears

Money deals

Save up to 10% with Guardian home insurance, provided by Uinsure. Get a quote in just 60 seconds.

If you need to send money overseas you can get expert advice and free online transfers with moneycorp, providers of the Guardian money transfer service.