U.K. Regulators to Probe Widespread Refused Refunds 

(Bloomberg) -- The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority is looking into complaints that some businesses are not respecting cancelation rights for events that have to be withdrawn in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

Four in five complaints the CMA receives are now related to businesses refusing refunds or pressuring clients to accept vouchers for holiday accommodation, which can only be used during a more expensive period.

“Our Covid-19 taskforce is shining a light on some of the big issues facing consumers in wake of this pandemic. Alongside price-gouging reports, we’re now seeing cancellation issues in their thousands,” CMA CEO Andrea Coscelli said in a statement.

The Covid-19 taskforce, which is in charge of monitoring potential problems for consumer, will first look into the three sectors it’s most concerned about: weddings and private events, holiday accommodation, and nurseries and childcare providers. Most businesses, however, are acting “reasonably,” according to the CMA.

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