I have recently returned to the UK after living in Malta for a very happy seven years. However, a couple of experiences while clearing up our affairs left me somewhat dismayed by the methods employed by two companies to resist the repayment of monies owed to me

Firstly, I had the use of TV, broadband and phone from a cable supplier. Upon going in to terminate my contract I was asked if there were any bills to settle. I produced the April bill I had just received and settled this as asked including, I may add, a couple of euros for a telephone call made in April. Everything fine, so far.

On completing the termination we were then told: “That’s it”.

As I had just paid for the remaining 12 days in April, I asked about a refund of those payments. After all I had just handed in all the “tools” to operate the system, including an HD box that I had purchased fom them. I was told that there was no refund possible but that what I had paid would be credited to my name. As we are moving and unlikely to return, other than for a holiday, I protested and was asked for my e-mail address in Malta so that I could be told if a refund was possible. Of course, no e-mail was received and the next day an engineer arrived and cut through the cable.

Secondly, I had a car in Malta I decided to transfer to a friend.

There was some road tax remaining, which I transferred with the car but also over two months’ car insurance, which I attempted to reclaim.

Again, I was told that the agent would not refund this unless they had seen the registration document with my friend’s name as owner on it.

This was duly completed and presented in person by the new owner who was asked if he would be insuring the car with them again. He said he would not and was then told that in that case I would not be eligible for a refund.

Actions like this besmirch the good name of Malta, which is a shame as we loved being there and only returned to the UK because of other commitments.