Mystic Walker predicts the problems you’ll have in 2019

LAST year, Resolver helped sort out more than two million complaints for free. I’m proud we were able to help so many people. And those complaints can also give us clues about the things that we see in 2019.

So here are my predictions...

Data misuse: The bigger the company, the more liberties they seem to take with our data. Facebook has lurched from one scandal to the next over data sharing, while big banks, ticket companies and hotels have all been compromised and released millions of megabytes of private data and bank details.

It’s been hard to complain if you only suspect you’ve been affected. But that will change in 2019 as tougher rules, more fines and greater awareness shift the balance of power.

Loyalty charges:

The Competitions and Markets Authority has concluded that ‘loyalty payments’ – overcharging people who stay loyal to businesses such as insurance, broadband, savings, mobiles and more – are unfair and will be clamped down on.

The report isn’t retrospective – but you can make a complaint about lots of these industries and – in theory – claim back excess charges. And the financial ombudsman has upheld a few cases... End of the line for home deliveries?

Online shopping: As we all head online to shop we can expect to see more problems arising.

It’s costing big companies like Amazon huge sums of money in delivery charges and lost items, so expect to see parcel delivery costs rise or be prepared to collect packages from prearranged pick up points.

And the days of ordering that dress in three sizes are also numbered. Firms will start to charge for ‘try-before-you-buy’ or introduce credit agreements for late-returned items. Mini-debits: We’re all used to extra costs when we book flights, choose speedy boarding, a seat, a better meal, extra legroom – we grumble, but put up with it because it’s only ‘a few quid’. Well other businesses have watched and learned.

We’ve seen charges for keeping your email addresses introduced recently or for picking up purchases in store.

Increasingly services we once got for free will have a small fee attached. These add up – £6 a month is £72 a year. While we can’t stop businesses trying it on, we can complain. If more of us fight back, it makes it harder for them to hit us with charges for doing next to nothing.

Massive insurance contracts. Last year my travel insurance contract was more than 140 pages. For years, insurance contracts have been increasing in size to account for all kinds of situations – volcanic eruption is not covered in most policies now. Your posts on social media might be looked at as part of a claim. The car satnav might affect your premium.

All of this makes it incredibly unfair to expect us to read the T&Cs as we’re told we have to.

Remember, if there’s a clause in your insurance contract that’s unfair, hidden or ambiguous, you can complain if they use it to turn down a claim. The fightback starts here!

Of course, there are many, many more things, from shifty landlords to rising costs that will have an impact in 2019.

I want to hear what you think – or what’s worrying you. Together we can tackle issues before they get out of control.

■ Want to help yourself, a friend or relative sort out a problem, get a refund or make a claim? Visit resolver.co.uk and share your experiences at yourstories@resolvergroup.com