STRAIGHT TO THE POINT
I PAID Currys £20 to deliver and install my new washing machine, but the engineer didn’t do it properly and I had to pay a plumber £45 to fix it. It’s been difficult getting my money back — can you help? P. C., Stamford, Lincs.
cuRRYS has apologised for the delay and promised to reimburse you the £20 as well as the cost of the plumber.
I RECEIVED a letter saying I had won £725,000 on the Euromillions Fifa World Cup Super Lottery. I called the number given but there was no answer. Is this a scam? D. F., Suffolk.
You were right to be suspicious. Action-Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre, says this is a known scam that’s been around at least since 2010.
Victims are told to call and send a ‘processing fee’ to unlock winnings. Never do this. if you haven’t entered a lottery, you can’t win one.
IS INCOME tax due on interest earned from money in a savings account? K. N., Durham.
SiNcE April, basic-rate 20 pc taxpayers have been able to earn £1,000 interest without paying any income tax. higher-rate 40 pc taxpayers are able to earn £500.
You will need to pay tax at your usual rate on any interest over this, either from your salary or pension, or you can fill in a self-assessment form. For queries, contact hMRc on 0300 200 3300.
I’VE found some old share certificates with Tadpole Technology, but I can’t find any information about where the company is now. Are the shares worth anything? M. H., Blackpool.
i ASkED the investment expert hargreaves Lansdown. it said the firm went bust in August 2008 and your shares have no value.
MY HUSBAND died last year. I was 60 and working full-time. Since then I have been receiving a weekly payout from the Government. Will this continue? M. W., Surrey.
uNFoRtuNAtELY, no. the payment you are receiving is called Bereavement Allowance, which is awarded to those aged between 45 and state pension age for up to 52 weeks following their loved one’s death.
the amount depends on your age when your husband passed away. A 45-year- old will receive £33.77 a week, while a 55-year-old will receive £112.55. Your spouse must have paid Ni contributions for you to qualify.