Thomas Cook customers warned of multiple scams
Police are warning that fraudsters have started targeting Thomas Cook customers, offering refunds to those who share their bank or credit card details over the phone.
Con artists claiming to be ‘Thomas Cook refund agents’ are randomly calling people promising to refund money paid for holidays with the collapsed tour operator.
They’re allegedly asking for card details, including the three-digit security code, in order to process re-payments.
One person tweeted: "Had a phone call from ‘Thomas Cook refund agent’ going to give me a refund on the holiday I’ve purchased (no I havent) just need my card details & 3 digit number on back to refund me. FFS.this is disgusting..people have lost their jobs & livelihoods™
Fraud prevention group Take Five has issued a statement, urging customers only to seek refunds through official channels.
In a post of social media, they reminded people that ‘a genuine bank, organisation or police will never call and ask for your bank details.
Thomas Cook customers should contact the Civil Aviation Authority to arrange a refund for package holidays, or contact their insurer if they had airline failure cover for flight-only bookings, or their bank or credit card issuer if they paid on plastic.
In a separate scam, fraudsters claiming to be from foreign hotels are also allegedly contacting Thomas Cook clients. They appear be calling from premium-rate numbers, so people are being advised not to respond to calls.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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