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Cashback sites and cooperatives offer money back to the consumer for a sponsored transaction, somewhat akin to a loyalty card or dividend stamps. The key difference is that the company making the cashback payment is simply an advertising middleman, rather than the retailer themselves. Registered users of cashback sites click on banners or links, which earn the site a commission through affiliation schemes – this money is then passed on to the user, usually paid monthly in arrears via cheque or e-payment. Savings made through cashback sites can range from a nominal figure or percentage for groceries, to well over a hundred pounds if you are prepared to switch your energy or insurance supplier.

Cashback schemes have recently started to multiply, and consumers are advised to check the reputation of sites before joining or giving out any personal information. Adverts promising huge earnings can be used as phishing exercises, whilst some sites may collect money from your affiliate sales without paying out as promised. Below are some of the UK’s best, and safest, cashback sites…happy shopping!

Quidco.co.uk- Perhaps the best known of the cashback cooperatives, Quidco has links to over 1,200 online shops, including many of the web’s major retailers, for example Play.com, Tesco and Argos. Quidco charges users a £5 per year administration charge, but this amount is deducted from any earnings rather than being paid upfront – no earnings means no charge. Quidco users sign in to their account, and then follow the sponsored banner to receive cashback, ranging from 1% at certain grocery suppliers, to over £100 for certain energy company switchovers. Payments are paid out by cheque or Paypal – although there is a maximum payment of £50 allowed via this method, any extra will ‘rollover’. Used in conjunction with deals site hotukdeals.com, a forum for retail bargains, Quidco can lead to massive savings/earnings.

Cashbackkings.com- With a bias towards energy suppliers, Cashbackkings works with over 2,000 companies to offer cashback on internet purchases. Cashbackkings recently removed their administration fee, promising to pass on all earnings to their members. Cashbackkings also runs a referral scheme, offering £1 for each new member signed up through a referral link. Cashbackkings earnings can only be paid out to a supported e-payment system, but they do have one of the lowest minimum payouts.

Onepollcashback.com- Perhaps better known for its polling site, Onepoll.com, which offers 5p-£1 for completing questionnaires, Onepollcashback is an extension much in the vain of Quidco and Cashbackkings. A referral scheme is in place, paying £2 per friend referred, once they have reached an account balance of £15. Onepollcashback has no administration charge, but has a minimum payment threshold of £25. Earnings from Onepollcashback are paid by BACS, or in Amazon gift vouchers.