Watch out for Thomas Cook refund scams by phone and email

Scammers are exploiting the unfortunate news surrounding the liquidation of the Thomas Cook travel company by pretending to offer refunds in a bid to lure victims into handing over their credit card details.

On Monday, one of the world’s oldest travel companies collapsed, leading to Britain’s largest ever peacetime repatriation getting underway, with the goal to get over 150,000 stranded Britons back home.

But in the meantime, reports have surfaced that crooks are taking advantage of the news, and are either phone calling or emailing Thomas Cook customers in a bid to trick them into handing over sensitive banking information by claiming to be able to offer a refund.

In some instances, crooks are cold calling customers, claiming to be either from the customer’s bank or from Thomas Cook, offering a refund for their holiday. The crooks then request the victim’s banking information, including their card details and security CVC code, which is enough information for the crooks to make fraudulent transactions. Social media users have reported getting such calls despite not having any holidays booked with Thomas Cook, suggesting the crooks are simply cold calling recipients on the chance they may be a customer.

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Other reports suggest crooks are sending out fraudulent phishing emails claiming to be from either a bank or Thomas Cook offering refunds, with links that lead to spoofing websites that will transmit any information entered into them straight to a scammer.

How do I know if it’s a scam?

If you get an unexpected call or an email about a refund, you should be on your guard immediately, because there is a good chance that it’s a scam.

If someone calls you claiming to offer a refund, ask where they are calling from. If they claim they are calling you from Thomas Cook, it’s most likely a scam since the former travel company are no longer operational and not calling customers. If the person claims they are from your bank or insurance company, hang up the call and call them back up using the contact information you have on your paperwork.

Under no circumstances should you give out sensitive information to someone who calls you.

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If you receive an email claiming to offer a refund, avoid clicking on links, since those links could take you anywhere. Again, contact the company directly using contact information on your own paperwork.

If you have booked a holiday with Thomas Cook, you may be able to receive a refund, but this depends on how you booked. For example, those who booked their holidays with third party insurance will need to contact that insurance company. Package holidays booked using ATOL can see this page for more information on how to claim their money back.

For more information on refunds and your rights, we recommend this helpful guide from MoneySavingExpert.