STRAIGHT TO THE POINT

I EMAILED a query to Virgin Trains. Its reply directed me to its online help page. I struggled to find the correct information online so I emailed my query again. It’s been three weeks and I’ve not yet heard back. P. W., Cumbria. vIRGIn Trains recognises some customers prefer email communications to its ‘live chat’ online. a spokesman apologises for not responding sooner, adding that part of the delay was down to a backlog of customer queries following storm Doris. I HAD an £11-a-month mobile phone contract with O2, but decided to switch to pay-as-you-go — only then to be offered another pay monthly contract for £8.60. Initially I said yes, but changed my mind three days later. I was told I would have to pay £84 in exit charges. D. E., Swindon, Wilts. yOU paid the £84 because you didn’t want to get into debt. however, as you had cancelled well within the 14-day cooling-off period you should not have been charged a fee to leave. O2 has apologised, moved you to a pay-as-you-go deal and given you £40 credit as a gesture of goodwill. I RECEIVED an email from HMRC saying I was due a tax refund of £256.84. Is this a scam? R. D., via email. yes. hMRC never sends notice of refunds by email or text. Fortunately you were suspicious and didn’t reply. Report scams to action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040. DOES the first £1,000 you can earn in savings interest tax-free include interest earned from Isas? S. B., by email. nO. InTeResT that is already tax-free does not count towards your personal savings allowance limit (£1,000 for basic-rate taxpayers and £500 for higher-rate payers).