Josie has now decided to move to Los Olivos while she considers quitting timeshare altogether. “I’ve had a good run of holidays, “ she says. “but if I had bought into Yucca Park recently I would be feeling pretty sick now.”

While the bankruptcy situation at Yucca Park was a rarity loss of rights as a feature of timeshare certainly is not, points out Sandy Grey.

“People have little come back, so I urge them before signing anything to do their research by checking with us and the Internet.”

Timeshare Consumers Organisation: 01909 591100, http://www.timeshare.org.uk

Switching energy companies left the Seary family in the dark and dreading a massive electricity bill.

It was a doorstep call from nPower that persuaded Simon Seary, 32, to switch from British Gas. The store manager from Leeds was assured he would get a similar fixed dual fuel agreement to the one he was planning with his current supplier British Gas, only nPower would not charge a £15 arrangement fee.

But the first bills after changing showed that while the gas was on the correct capped rate, the electricity was not, and wracking up the pounds. Despite assurances nothing was done and Simon rejected an offer to be put back with British Gas. “I have spent months on an expensive rate but there is no compensation for that,” he explained.

“They say the people who promised me the deal have left and I should never have been offered it in the first place. I’ve had to stop my direct debit because they have raised it from £25 to £175 a month, yet I’ve never received a bill. I do not want compensation for all the worry, just to be put on the right tarriff we were promised.”

At last count Simon’s bill stood at a staggering £1000.

But after discussions with Crusader nPower has seen matters from the family’s perspective. They are now delighted to learn nPower has wiped the account clean.

“This should not have happened, we want to do the right thing,” said a company spokeswoman. “We are so relieved and grateful, thank you,” replied Simon.