Agent forced to take down website after hackers took control
An investigation is still under way after fraudster hacked a travel agent’s website.
It is believed they found a way of taking over control of the ‘contact us’ button on the agent’s website, which meant all enquiries were redirected.
Fraudsters then offered discounts fares to unsuspecting Facebook users on flights which didn’t actually exist.
The agency, Travel Bar in Blairgowrie, Perth And Kinross, has been forced to take down its website since the scam was discovered before Christmas.
Its Facebook page tell customers that the fraudsters set up a company with a similar name – The Travels Bar – and go by the names of Rohan, Rob, James, Anthony, Suraj and Sarah, using the email @thetravelsbar.co.uk.
Staff realised what was happening when they began receiving calls from confused clients who claimed to have bought long-haul holidays.
Anyone affected is urged contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and quote reference NFRC181102645507.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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