about this issue

In this issue of ombudsman news we highlight some practical matters that could affect firms – and us – as a result of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

We focus, too, on some of the complaints we have received about the 'voluntary concessions' that firms sometimes make for their banking and mortgage customers. And we take a look at some of the travel insurance disputes that reach us, highlighting in particular:

• the circumstances in which insurers provide cover if a holiday is cancelled or curtailed; and
  
  
• the situation where insurers provide no cover for illnesses that arise from a medical condition the traveller has suffered from in the past.

We provide the usual wide-ranging round-up of recent investment-related complaints, and clarify the differences between 'guaranteed income bonds' and 'guaranteed capital bonds'.

And finally, in ask ombudsman news we answer some recent queries from our readers.