HOUSEHOLDS hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic could be owed hundreds of pounds in refunds.
From working from home to getting a refund on your rail fare, we take you through how to get your cash back.
Households may be entitled to refunds due to coronavirus and they could be worth hundreds of pounds
Plus, we’ve added some extra tips on where you can look to find out if you’ve been overpaying – and how to ask for the money back.
1. Get a refund for unused travel season tickets
If you paid for a season ticket before lockdown for your commute into work but are no longer using it, you may be able to claim some of the cash back.
Annual season ticket holders are able to apply for a partial refund from the rail operator they bought it from.
Londoners can also ask for a refund for Oystercard season tickets that aren’t used any more, as well as any cash on it.
To be eligible for your money back, you’ll need at least six weeks left on an annual ticket, seven days left on a monthly ticker or three days on a seven-day ticket.
You’ll need your Oyster card number and bank account number and sortcode.
Your refund is based on the price of your season ticket, minus the cost of the equivalent travelcards you would have needed when you used it to travel.
You should call TFl on 03432221234. Lines are open 8am until 8pm, Monday to Sunday.
2. Cancel subscriptions you no longer use
Many of us turned to subscription services to entertain ourselves during lockdown – spending on streaming services leapt by 50% in April this year.
The average adult spends more than £500 a year on these subscription services, according to research by Barclaycard Payment, which works out around £42 a month.
Look through your bank statements to find out what services you’re still paying for and work out whether you’re still using them.
You may find that a service has started charging you after you forgot to cancel a free trial.
If not, contact the service directly to cancel your subscription.
Do not cancel the direct debt as you’ll still be signed up to the service and missed payments may be marked on your credit file.
3. Check for rogue payments
Lockdown might be the ideal time for some life admin – and that includes looking through your bank statements.
Check for any rogue payments – anything you don’t recognise – because you will be able to get your cash back if it’s a mistake.
“Sometimes transactions go through in error – particularly when you’re paying by contactless and are distracted,” said Martyn James from complaints site Resolver.
To claim the cash back, you’ll need to open an investigation with the business that took the payment. You can do this by contacting their customers services.
Bear in mind, that some businesses have different names on your bank statement.
4. Insurance policies you don’t need
Check to see if you’re paying for mobile phone or gadget insurance for handsets that you upgraded years ago.
Many home insurance policies also cover phones and gadgets, in which case ditch the extra policy as you’re paying twice over for the same cover.
If you think you’ve been overpaying for insurance, you need to contact your provider.
5. Switch energy providers
With many of us sending more time at home, our gas and electricity bills may be creeping upwards too.
You may be able to save hundreds of pounds a year by switching energy provider.
A cut in the price cap has lowered typical bills to £1,042 – but that’s still far more than you would pay if you shop around.
More than half of families do not regularly switch and are on standard tariffs, which can be pricier than suppliers’ deals for new customers. Here’s our guide on how to switch.