Hotelopia - scam...?

enchantingodin

You may have noticed that I'm not all there myself
Joined
Jul 7, 2008
Messages
821
This is my first time dealing with hotelopia. And I would like to know if anyone has ever received an email from them asking for credit card verification...

Dear Mr/Mrs My Name

Thank you for making your hotel reservations with Hotelopia.

For security reasons and as per our "Terms & Conditions" you are kindly requested to send us via email or fax the following information:

* The attached form completly filled and signed by the credit card holder.
* Copy of the credit card used to make this reservation (front and back, please remember to hide the 8 middle numbers and CVC code) (E.G. 1234-xxxx-xxxx-3546)
* Copy of the Passport or any Official Identity Document from the credit card holder (E.G driving license).


If we do not receive this information before the 15/10/2010 at 10:00 GMT+1,Hotelopia reserves the right to cancel the reservation services booked by you.

You can send it by fax: 00 34 971 465870
or by e mail: forensic@hotelopia.com

We also inform you that no double charge will be made on your credit card.

Kindly take note that we ask for this information in order to guarantee a secure payment on our web site. Please understand that we must be sure that It is the real credit card holder who is making the payment and not somebody who may be using your credit card fraudulently.

If you need any further information please contact our customer service number obtainable on our web page.


Kind regards,

This sent off ALL kinda of red flags to me. :eek:

I called the 800 number listed on the website and got more red flags... The woman who answered didn't identify herself and was very rude. Saying that this wasn't a scam and that they are doing it for my "protection". I asked if I could do a verification over the phone - she said no. I pointed out I've never had any other company ask me to do this. She didn't seem to care and just said that's what we do. So I said, "Let me get this strait - you want me to make a copy of my credit card and my ID and send it to someone I don't know to prove that I am who I say I am...?" She didn't really say anything to that so I said, "Ok - this sounds like a scam - I'm hanging up now."

They already charged $180 (roughly) to my debt card... How worried should I be...? :scared:
 
I googled them and their website says they are a part of this group, some type of tour operator group, out of the UK...here is the link.

http://www.tuitravelplc.com/tui/pages/home

I never heard of them. I personally would not make a copy of my documents and send them to them, especially with little knowledge of them. If it were me, I'd cancel the reservation and contact my charge/debit card company. They may be legitimate but still I wouldn't feel comfortable sending these things via e-mail. I've heard of some requiring copies of the driver's license, but never a copy of the credit card.

Sandy
 
Thanks for the info you found. I get a discount off of their site through my employer and I have seen others on the dis recommend them (hopefully some will see this and respond soon). So I figured everything would be fine.

I would never nor will I ever send out my CC info to anyone. With number covered or not. That's just CRAZY.

Basically from what the woman was saying is that they wan to make sure I am who I say I am... I guess making sure I'm not scamming them. :confused3

But the money has cleared the bank the day after I made the purchase... :confused:
 
Was the $180 for the whole trip or just a deposit? I'd tell them they already have your money and if they are concerned you are not who you say you are they can refund it. I would contact your bank, show them the email and see if they can retrieve your money for you. I would never give them a photocopy if your CC or debit card. Unlike AmEx or Discover all kinds of different banks have Visa or Mastercard, providing the photocopy let's them know exactly what bank (ie. Chase, BoA, etc...) just doesn't sound right to me. I'd run and run fast.
 

180 was for the whole trip, we're only talking 2 nights here.

I got another email from them at 6:05 this morning saying they had canceled my reservation. Even though in the first email it said I would have until "10 +1 GMT" to send my info. Granted they didn't state am or pm, but that's besides the point.

So I called customer service again. Made sure to ask from the reps name and took notes on what was said. Told her that I understood this was a european company - but that here in the states we are constantly warned of emails just like the one I got because of identity theft. She seemed unfazed by my concerns. I also asked why there was a red flag put on my reservation when the full payment had already cleared my bank. She, of course, had no idea. But told me that it didn't really matter anyway because my payment was already "being processed for a refund". When I asked how long that would take I was told 5-10 business days. :eek:

I'm glad others have had success with hotelopia. But I will NEVER deal with this company again. Or any other that isn't based in the US. Talk about learning a lesson the hard way.:headache: :sad2: :headache: :sad2: :headache:
 
There is something screwy here. I'd be really concerned about getting my money refunded under these terms.
Yesterday one of my credit cards got hit 4 times, totaling over $12,000. CC fraud is everywhere. You are right to be suspicious.
 
TUI Travel, formally known, and still better known in the UK as Thomson Holidays.

I believe that the TUI group become the largest travel company in the world have buying Thomson. They have companies in most countries certainly in Europe.

So if thats who you paid your money to, its definately a reputable company, but as for asking for you credit card and id....thats bizarre. I can only think they wanted to make sure you are in posession of the card ie that you just hadn't got hold of its details and if to verify you are the proper holder of it.

However I think you were rightly concerned and to be honest I wouldn't have given them that info even knowing who they are.
 
Just be sure and dispute the charge with your credit card company before the deadline, even if they promise a refund.

Sheila

Oops ... just saw that it was a debit card. I don't know the rules for those. I don't use them because they don't have as much protection as credit cards from what I understand.
 
I got back from my weekend away to Universal late last night. This morning I checked my bank and the refund was issued yesterday. I have to admit I was VERY concerned about this whole thing. But now I'm just glad it's all over. Thanks for the replies everyone.
 
NEVER EVER send personal or confidential information to anyone or any site. Reputable sites will never ask for this info. Protect yourself and look elsewhere and never go back to that site again
 













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