to have a phobia of on-line banking...

[ScroobiousPip]

... I know I should log on and find out what my balance (overdraft) is/ pay the electricity bill but it's so much more fun less scary to click on Mumsnet and ignore the bills put my head in the sand for yet another day. AIBU?

Yes, sadly. YABU. However, when you do finally take your head out of the sand log on and check your balances, put aside an hour or three to surf a few comparison sites and places like www.moneysavingexpert.com. If you can save £10/month here and £5/month there on your regular outgoings you might find your overdraft disappears of its own accord and logging on in future is much less stressful!

YANBU I'm paranoid about getting defrauded online

Oh just do it! I have been ignoring my bank account for several months and have just found out I've been getting charged monthly for unauthorised borrowing beyond my overdraft limit. I am a twunt. And have resolved to check my account online weekly (at least) and actually have a budget and stick to it. My bank have have a hundreds of pounds out of me because of my stupid head-in-the-sand attitude. I'm never letting it happen again.

Are you a bit of a procrastinator in general (like me!!)?

Ah honest advice from MN! Yes, I am something of a procrastinator, Peggotty - I operate on the basis that if I don't check my account, I won't know how little is in there.

Thanks for the tips. I logged on and faced the account today and it wasn't as awful as I thought. I am going to spend some time tomorrow going through and making a proper budget and see if there are places I could be making savings.

[proud] face

Checking my account makes me feel sick!!!!!. I dont do it nearly as much as I should and its cost me money but I cant help myself It makes me feel sick so I dont ubnless I have too

I don't check the balance, ever.
I'm too scared, and I hide the bills behind the couch, when I don't throw them away.

I can't recommend this, it's a stupid thing to do, but I do it.

That doesn't sound like a phobia.

It also doesn;t sound specific to online banking.

And of course YABU to be scared to find out your balance.

Get a grip and be a grownup and take control of your money.

And I see you have decided to do that, so well done [hgrin]

YANBU: I don't bank online, and won't.

Identity fraud is no small matter and is ever more common online.

Staying on top of your finances is, as pointed out above, vital. But this can be done by checking paper statements and/or balances on ATMs - as done by everyone for decades.

Which? have reported recently that if you don't bank online you will be missing out financially, as banks etc will make more attractive packages available online. It's a definite problem for older people especially, as this is the age group that is more likely to be reluctant to do this.

"Identity fraud is no small matter and is ever more common online"

If you work on a paper basis you are just as much, if not more at risk of identity fraud than if you work paperlessly online and password protect your information. Why check balances at ATMs where you are in full view of other people, peering over your shoulder, clocking your PIN or tampering with the card-reader... when you can log on in the comfort and security of your own home?

Here's the link to that Which? report.