Rip-off culture has taken root

FROM banks to phone companies, insurance brokers and the ESB, the scandal of rip-off Ireland continues.

Seemingly, as far as some elements of business are concerned, overcharging the hard-pressed consumer is the way to go.

Today’s assessment of the latest evidence in a long-running series of financial controversies shows that in the past year alone, overcharging by public and State-owned companies exceeded €100 million.