Travel firms struggle to weed out corrupt employees
Travel companies are running the risk of recruiting untrustworthy staff because of strict data protection laws, warned recruitment expert Julia Feuell, managing director of New Frontiers.
She said employers had become so wary of breaking the regulations that they were reluctant to provide detailed references for former employees, Feuell told the Travel Directors' Summit, organised by travel accountants Elman Wall.
"We are becoming increasingly aware of companies not wanting to give references," said Feuell. As a result, she said one temp who had been convicted of fraud while working at a business travel agency had managed to get a job back with the same firm years later because her reference stated only the dates of her employment.
Trevor Sears, a member of Prevention of Fraud in Travel (PROFiT) and a partner at law firm Davenport Lyons said: "Fraudsters do often go back to the same place where they committed a fraud, even if they were caught. You have just got to be as vigilant as possible, but I think the Data Protection Act has gone too far. You can't say anything about anybody these days. Data protection rules need a radical overhaul."
Sears also warned retiring retailers to be on their guard against individuals offering to buy their companies. He cited a case where fraudsters had offered £125,000 to buy a travel agency in Southend for which they paid£25,000 upfront and set up shop in the agency, promising the owner a further £100,000 to complete the sale at a later date. However, one Saturday they sold £1.4m of flights and did a runner with the cash, leaving the original owner, who still had a majority stake in the business, with the debt.
"This was a guy who was very experienced, he had been in business for 25 years," said Sears. "If you are going to sell your business, take good, competent advice. This guy took advice from his accountant, who knew nothing about travel and who told him to hold on to the business until he had all the money, but he was left holding the baby.
"For advice, go to ABTA, IATA and look at the PROFiT website (www.profit.co.uk).
By Linsey McNeill
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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