Tourists warned to beware of holiday club scam

The Trading Standards Service (TSS) has advised holidaymakers from Northern Ireland to be cautious of salespeople from international holiday clubs while visiting European resorts over the summer.

TSS revealed that local holidaymakers sign up to sales pitches from holiday club representatives every summer, costing in the region of £3,000 - £5,000 to join, but very rarely get value for money.

Jimmy Hughes from the TSS explained that holiday club representatives often use the same approach to entice couples into their sales pitch. He explained: “A seller will stop couples in the street and offer free prize-winning scratch cards. The scratch card always reveals a prize such as a holiday.

"The seller then whisks the lucky couple off in a waiting taxi to a champagne reception to claim their prize. They ask to see credit cards as proof of identity and suddenly the couple are in the middle of a high pressure sales pitch. Palatial holiday club accommodation is offered in a number of destinations with many companies offering cheap airfares. Membership of the club is offered at a significantly reduced cost if the couple sign up on the spot."

Mr Hughes said that while the accommodation promised is always of a high standard, some couples have found when trying to book holidays through the club that their preferred accommodation is rarely available; the alternatives are of a much poorer standard and that low airfares are difficult to book. In addition, on booking holidays through the club, local people have often found that other people in the same resort have bought their holidays for a much cheaper price.

“Representatives of these holiday clubs will stress they are not selling time shares. This is true, as time share sellers in the European Union must give their customers a cooling off period. Signing up to holiday or leisure clubs immediately ties customers into a legally binding contract with no chance to have second thoughts,” Mr Hughes added.

Advising holidaymakers to look out for the scratch card approach he concluded: "Reputable organisations have no reason to pressure customers for an instant decision. Check with local tourist information offices or ask your courier. Do not take your credit or debit cards to such promotions. Take your time and do not let a scratch card put a dent in your bank balance".

(MB)