Bogus holiday firms con 525,000
Since January, the European Consumer Centre (ECC) has received 326 queries from worried consumers about holiday clubs, which coerce people into signing legally binding contracts for huge sign-up fees by promising to provide tripsto exotic locations for bargain prices, which they never deliver.
There are 75 cases being investigated by the consumers’ rights organisation relating to Irish people, more than double the number investigated last year. Most cases involve couples who have been ripped off by holiday clubs, usually while holidaying in Spain, Lanzarote or Portugal. ECC spokesperson Mary Denise Fitzgerald said the 525,000 was a conservative figure, based on a usual minimum payment per signing of around 7,000. However, she pointed out that some couples get caught for even higher amounts with one caller to the centre this week admitting to getting stung for 30,000.
