MY bank changed my credit card from a visa to a mastercard. I was told the terms and conditions remained unchanged.
I purchased some goods on my card which were then stolen and when I phoned up about the card insurance, I was told this was a visa perk and mastercard did not provide insurance.
I complained to the bank they had told me my conditions remained unchanged but the absence of insurance was a major change.
I was told insurance does not come under terms and conditions, so they did not have to tell me about this.
If I'd known, I would have changed providers to
ensure I had cover. I am now left with a bill for more than £1000 with no goods. What I can do?
Make a formal written complaint to the head office of the bank.
They may be regarded legally as acting as your agents in the card change transaction (were they paid anything by the new card provider?) and breaching their duty of care to you. You may be able to take them to court.
If you can't resolve it contact the financial ombudsman service at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk, or 0845 080 1800, and change banks.
Flat owners get raw deal
My housing association is doing improvements in the area on roofs, cladding and roughcasting.
It is going to do our whole block apart from my tenement, because the six of us are houseowners and are not being offered a grant because of this.
This will probably devalue our property. Surely this can't be right.
There is a difference between the association wearing its hat as owners and its factor hat where its relationship with homeowners is that of agent, not landlord.
Whether you are entitled to the grant will be constituted by a government order or provision.
Ask for a look at that to see what the rules are, and have a lawyer look over it.
Marital status worries me
Can you please put me on the right track to inquire about a declarator of marriage.
My partner and I have been together for 38 years. He has a son from previous marriage, but he has not been in touch for over 25 years.
How do we stand legally?
If a couple lives together, holding themselves out to all and sundry as husband and wife, are free to marry, and co-habit for a long time, they can get a court order declaring they are married.
A specialised area of law, but if successful, you are treated for all legal purposes as man and wife.
Staff have holiday right
I HAVE heard that agency workers have the same rights as full-time employees regarding taking paid holidays. Is this correct?
Yes. Unless you are self-employed, in which case, like me, you just have to work your rear end off until the job is done, you are entitled to minimum paid holiday.
For more, contact ACAS. Last week I gave the Scottish number but that excellent organisation asked me to give the national helpline 08457 474747, or www.acas.org.uk
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