Published on : Thursday, April 30, 2020
In some cases airlines and travel agents are offering vouchers instead of the cash refunds consumers are legally entitled to, the body mentioned it had seen increasing numbers of complaints related to the issue.
But such vouchers can often only be used during a more expensive period.
The CMA said that the topic now accounts for four out of five complaints being received by the Covid-19 taskforce, which monitors market developments and identifies the big problems facing consumers.
Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA, said that alongside price-gouging reports they are now seeing cancellation issues in their thousands.
The CMA has identified weddings, holiday accommodation and childcare as particular areas of concern but the current situation is throwing up challenges for everyone, including businesses, but that does not mean that consumer rights can fall by the wayside.
If businesses would fail to comply with consumer protection law then we will get tough – that means launching enforcement cases and moving to court action where there is a strong reason to do so.
The CMA acknowledged that most businesses are acting reasonably in what are unprecedented circumstances, and the current crisis is placing everyone under pressure however the consumer rights cannot be ignored.
The CMA would take appropriate enforcement action if the companies fail to comply with the law which including moving quickly to court if a firm does not address its concerns.
Individuals can also take their own legal action against unfair terms should they choose to.
Adam French, Which? consumer rights expert, said that they heard from many distressed people who risk being left out of pocket for significant sums of money as they struggle to get refunds for cancelled weddings, private events, or holiday accommodation.
Tags: CMA