A couple of weeks ago, I was in a Co-op when my card got declined and I began to panic - until I realised everyone’s payments had failed. When the cashier said the now-unfamiliar words “cash only”, we were all forced to abandon our shopping because not one of us was carrying physical money.

It turned out the Co-op had experienced a cyber-attack, the second incident in as many weeks - along with the blackouts in Spain and Portugal - to highlight the importance of having cash at hand. [1]

What really dawned on me afterwards was that the frustration we all felt in that shop is how cash-users feel all the time: denied the right to spend their own money on basic goods and services because it wasn’t the ‘type’ of money retailers wanted.

I’ve learned my lesson: I’ll be keeping cash on me wherever I go moving forward. But because of the move to cashlessness, there’s no guarantee I’ll be able to spend it when and where I want to.

This is my money story. What’s yours, John? 

Are you worried about dwindling cash acceptance?

Cash ensures everyone can take part in our economy, regardless of access to tech or financial status. I saw first-hand how it provides a critical backup when digital systems fail, and I know it can be a literal lifeline for some of the most marginalised groups in society.

But it’s not just about need - many of us actively want to pay with cash, to support local businesses, protect our privacy, and help stick to a budget. And the number of people using physical cash is growing too. [2]

By collecting as many stories as possible to reshare online, we can shine a spotlight on how important cash is to people’s lives, and why the government should act to protect our right to pay how we choose.

We want to hear from you.
Share your cash story by hitting the button below:

Together we can #KeepCashAlive.

Thanks for your support,

Chloe, Positive Money

P.S. Read the full blog post about my experience on our website and, if you haven’t yet, sign the petition to #KeepCashAlive

Notes:

[1] BBC News: Customers complain as empty shelves continue at Co-op after hack

     Politico: Power cut leaves card users in the lurch in Spain, Portugal

[2] The Guardian: Cash makes surprise comeback amid 4.6% annual rise in ATM withdrawals

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