Holidaymakers have been left devastated and out of pocket after a UK travel agent allegedly took thousands of pounds for dream trips that never materialised.
Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed they are investigating a travel business following a wave of complaints from furious customers. Victims claim they paid significant sums for flights and accommodation, only to discover their bookings were never made.
One couple reported being scammed out of a staggering £5,000 for a planned getaway, while another family lost £4,000. The collective losses are believed to exceed £20,000, turning dream holidays into financial nightmares.
A Trail of Broken Promises and Cancelled Trips
The situation unravelled for many when they received unexpected cancellation emails directly from airlines and hotels. Despite having confirmation emails from the travel agent, these were revealed to be worthless, as no money had ever been forwarded to the providers.
One affected customer, speaking about their ordeal, stated they felt "completely let down and angry" after realising their much-anticipated holiday to Tenerife was non-existent.
Industry Body Issues Warning
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has been drawn into the escalating scandal. A spokesperson for ABTA advised: "We are aware of the situation and are providing guidance to those affected. We always recommend paying with a credit card for financial protection."
This advice is crucial, as payments made via credit card for amounts between £100 and £30,000 are protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, offering a vital route for chargebacks.
What Should Affected Travellers Do?
For those caught in this travel nightmare, the path to recourse involves several steps:
- Contact your bank immediately: If you paid by credit card, file a Section 75 claim. For debit card payments, enquire about the Chargeback scheme.
- Report it to Action Fraud: The UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
- Inform ABTA: While the agent may not be a member, reporting the issue helps them track problematic companies.
- Keep all correspondence: Save every email, receipt, and piece of communication as evidence.
Devon and Cornwall Police continue their investigation, urging anyone with information to come forward.
