The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
High street travel firm offers fraud advice following scam
A Perthshire travel firm has confirmed that no local families have been affected by an internet scam which left scores of holidaymakers out of pocket.
The Blairgowrie-based Travel Bar had its website hacked and identity stolen by a gang of cyber criminals, who went on to offer deals to unsuspecting customers under the name “Travels Bar”.
Owner and director Brenda McCready said the incident – now at the centre of a major fraud inquiry – highlighted the importance of booking flights face-to-face with ATOLprotected companies, rather than online.
And she stressed that no customers of the Travel Bar had been caught up in the scam.
Ms McCready, who has been at the helm of the business for 15 years, said: “People rely too much on using online companies.
“My advice would be to use high street companies like ourselves, who are fully licensed and ATOL-protected.
“You can pop in and speak to someone face-to-face.
“You don’t know who you are dealing with online.”
She said: “We are dealing with damage limitations, even though this was nothing to do with us.”
Ms McCready said the people who had been hit by the scam were all believed to be based in England.
Councillor Caroline Shiers added: “It is important that this scam is highlighted as widely as possible.
“The Travel Bar in Blairgowrie is an established local business and well used by local people.”
She said: “When people are booking holidays, through any high street or online business, they should look for the ABTA or ATOL licences, which ensures the protection and insurance, which is so crucial when people are booking trips and holidays, sometimes at great expense.”
The fraudsters hijacked a contact button on Travel Bar’s website, so people were redirected to them.
They also offered deals to unsuspecting Facebook users, using Travel Bar’s ATOL number and address.
The Travel Bar website is now being upgraded to make it more robust. Anyone affected by the con is urged to call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506.