A Teletextbook breach of rules

GOOD news for anyone seeking a refund from Truly Travel Limited – you can have your money back!

The company, better known as Teletext Holidays, has been dragging its heels when it comes to handing back cash for breaks cancelled due to the pandemic.

After a number of consumers got in touch to raise the issue, I filed a report with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and urged it to investigate.

This week, it announced that Teletext Holidays has indeed breached consumer laws and must refund customers whose breaks were cancelled because of Covid.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED?

The CMA’S George Lusty said it will be inviting Teletext Holidays to agree to refund all affected consumers and to agree a strict timetable in which to do so.

Mr Lusty joined me on the LBC Consumer Hour on Friday night to discuss the issue.

WHEN WILL CONSUMERS BE REFUNDED?

I asked the CMA how long consumers will have to wait for their money and was told that it will hopefully be “weeks”.

However, if Teletext Holidays fail to agree a timetable for payments, the CMA will have to take the matter to court.

This will naturally cause further delays and frustration.

I HAVE ALREADY BEEN WAITING MONTHS FOR MY MONEY. WHAT CAN I DO IF I DON’T WANT TO WAIT ANY LONGER?

If you paid with your credit card you can make a Section 75 claim.

Many consumers have told me they have already tried this and the card provider rejected the claim. My view is that a Section 75 claim in these circumstances should be successful. The CMA’S announcement this week should only serve to enforce the argument, as it has clearly established that Teletext Holidays has breached consumer laws and therefore breached the contracts it had.