Category: Consumer News

Travel agent jailed for defrauding customers to fund lavish lifestyle

A travel agent who stole money from friends, family and hundreds of members of the public who bought holidays from her, has today been jailed. Lyne Barlow, aged 39, formerly of Stanley, County Durham, was sentenced to nine years imprisonment at Durham Crown Court on 3 February 2023. The defendant pleaded guilty to the theft […]

Fake Covid vaccine and test certificate market is growing

More than 1,200 vendors operating in the UK and worldwide, offering false documents for as little as £25. A hidden pandemic market advertising fake COVID vaccine and test certificates for as little as £25 has grown exponentially, with more than 1,200 vendors in the UK and worldwide, researchers have found. After UK ministers announced the […]

Action Fraud and Abta urge consumers to beware of scams

Action Fraud and Abta are warning the public to “remain vigilant” about holiday scams, as bookings surge in the wake of news about the roadmap out of lockdown. The bodies are reminding the public to “think twice” before handing over money and personal information when booking holidays. They say that, in previous years, criminals have […]

Agents report spate of fraudulent booking enquiries

Agents fear fraudsters are targeting the trade after a raft of bookings and enquiries for high-value, lastminute holidays in recent weeks. Independent agents, particularly in the northwest of England, have reported suspicious enquiries for flights to Turkey and Dubai and five-star accommodation for five nights with just two or three days’ notice. One agency, which […]

Report coronavirus related cybercrime

Travel companies are being urged to report coronavirus related cyberattacks to travel anti-fraud group Profit. The plea comes as Profit joins the police task squad tackling coronavirus related fraud and cybercrime. The Fraud Advisory Panel Covid-19 Task Force, which includes representatives from the City of London Police, telecommunications and broadband industry and various government departments […]

Cathay Pacific fined over ‘serious’ cyber security breach

Cathay Pacific has been hit with a £500,000 fine for failing to protect the security of its customers’ personal data. The penalty was imposed by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) after the personal details of more than 9.5 million customers were exposed, including 111,578 from the UK, over almost four years from October 2014. The […]

Europol cracks down on airline CNP fraud

In an international operation that took place at 200 airports across the world, crime agency Europol has arrested 79 individuals suspected of using stolen credit card data for the online purchase of flight tickets. Airline companies are among the most affected by card-not-present fraud. It is estimated that the airline industry’s losses have reached close […]

Thomas Crooks: Fraudsters target refund process

People trying to claim refunds on flights and hotels booked with collapsed holiday giant Thomas Cook have been warned about possible fraudsters trying to get hold of their details. Britain’s aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said this afternoon it had been forced to take “urgent action” against fraudulent activity in relation to the […]

Travel agent scam allegations investigated by BBC

A BBC investigation into an alleged scam by a London-based travel agent will be aired tonight. Inside Out South on BBC One is due to be shown at 7:30pm this evening and then on iPlayer. It comes after complaints from holidaymakers who believe they have been scammed by a Hayley King’s London-based Around the World […]

Two thirds of hotel websites leak guest data

Around two-thirds of hotel websites carelessly leak some guest personal data to third-party companies which could also leave them susceptible to scammers, according to a new report. Cyber security firm Symantec found that booking confirmation emails sent to guests frequently contain links to their booking which are not encrypted, which means anyone on the same […]

Thomas Cook agent spared jail after admitting fraud

A Thomas Cook agent created fake refunds to steal thousands of pounds and book herself a luxury holiday, say reports. According to The Argus newspaper, Holly Cull “racked up huge debt problems” while living in Lewes, East Sussex, so she began creating false refunds at the branch where she worked in Worthing (pictured). The 30-year-old […]

Travel scams ‘likely to increase’ around Brexit date

Prevention of Fraud in Travel (PROFiT) is warning more travel scams are likely around the time the UK is set to leave the European Union next month and is urging people to report any suspicious activity. PROFiT said: “Organised crime will always exploit confusion and uncertainty. Regardless of outcome the Brexit situation is currently uncertain […]