2 Nov 2022

Crackdown on buy now, pay later, not enough - budget experts

From Checkpoint, 6:07 pm on 2 November 2022

A crackdown on buy now pay later services does not go far enough according some budgeters.

Under changes proposed by the government, the services will have to credict check all consumer and if the loan is $600 or more they will have to assess whether the person can actually afford to pay the back the debt. 

The likes of After Pay, Laybuy and ZipPay allow people to get the goods with one up-front payment, and pay the rest off in a series of instalments.

They can be charged late fees if they default, but unlike credit cards there's no interest. But there's no requirement for credit or affordability checks, and people can take on multiuple loans from different buy now pay later providers.

Senior Financial Mentor at Pakuranga and Howick Budgeting Service Fiona Govender talks to Lisa Owen.

 

Show status: Off air

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