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Tourism Accommodation Scams
Tourism Accommodation Scams and Preventing Fraud
We have received a number of alerts from various sources including AGV - Accommodation Getaways Victoria - - about fraudsters targeting operators in the holiday accommodation industry. The most common scam is the 'refund' scam, whereby you receive a booking for accommmodation using a stolen credit card or certified cheque (check). The booking is then cancelled within a few weeks and you are requested to refund the money via a bank transfer, cheque, or to pay instead for other goods that the scammer wishes to purchase.
The common theme is that the scams involve overpayment, the e-mails are typically from an international source and are written in very bad english.
Sometimes the fraudster will overpay the amount originally requested and then ask that you transfer the overpayment back. This should ring alarm bells. If you do need to take a lesser payment, do not transfer the difference but instead reverse the transaction and bill separately for the correct amount.
You should be on alert for this type of fraud and only refund credit card transactions back to the credit card that was initially used, or return the check itself. Do not transfer funds, nor issue a new cheque to refund such payments.. As a 'merchant' you would be liable for any disputed transaction. If in doubt you should ask for additional identification, or if you just don't feel right about the transaction, then it is better not to proceed. Contact your financial institution for more information about protecting yourself in this type of situation.
Another type of scam, particular to advertising for tourism operators is outlined below.
Minister Warns About Scammer Dean King and Kent Publishing
The NSW Minister for Fair Trading, Diane Beamer issued a warming to the public about Dean James King and his business Kent Publishing Pty Ltd. Mr King runs a scam targeting business owners who are charged between $384 and $489 for advertising in bogus publications.
Ms Beamer said that while the Office of Fair Trading had received over 80 complaints against Kent Publishing, 33 of those in 2005, the complaints appear to be the tip of the iceberg with many businesses unaware they have been the victim of a scam.
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