Current Scams
The following scams have been reported by members. Some are long-standing and been doing the rounds for a number of years, so please be aware they can come back in a different format. A golden rule with some scams are - if it appears too good to be true, it probably is!
Google Maps Advertising Scam
A Cumbria Tourism member was recently called by a man called ‘Chris' claiming to be selling Google maps advertising. Google maps is a free service provided by the Google organization and advertising spots cannot be sold. The caller did not have an identifiable telephone number, would not advise on the name of the company he was supposedly working for or send any information by email. The caller was persistent and sounded plausible. We are warning members to be vigilant towards this type of activity.
Membership Scam
A Cumbria Tourism member recently, believed they were paying Cumbria Tourism £28.88 per month for advertising when they had actually been paying ‘Tourist Information Centres LTD.com'. We are warning members that TIC Ltd is not an official Cumbria Tourism company and members should be paying for advertising with Cumbria Tourism only through the official Cumbria Tourism website and booking forms.
Accommodation Scam
A number of Cumbria tourism members have been emailed recently by a man called 'John Gilmore' claiming to be looking to book accommodation for clients. Along with the accommodation request, he also asks for assistance in booking car hire and excursions. Cumbria Tourism believes this is an overpayment scam and is warning members to not reply to any similar email they may receive as there is a risk that their credit card details may be fraudulent or stolen.
Accommodation Scam
A Cumbria Tourism member was recently email by a man called 'Blanc Laurrant' claiming to be looking to book accommodation for clients. Along with the accommodation request he said he would transfer money into the accommodation owner's bank account and asked them to then forward on money to pay a translator for the group. Cumbria Tourism is warning members to be aware of customers asking them to pay money on to third parties as there is a risk that their credit card details may be fraudulent or stolen.
Advice Scam
A Cumbria Tourism member was recently contacted by a man called 'Dennis Rigby' offering his expertise in undertaking appeals against a business' current Ratable Value. He invoiced the members £97.75 even though they did not agree for him to do any work for them. When looking into the man's company, it was found that it had been dissolved in 2005 and he had been made bankrupt. Cumbria Tourism is warning members to be aware of similar offers.
Computer Scam
A Cumbria Tourism member was recently contacted by a man called 'Mr Jackson' Hull from Florida requesting to have two computers delivered to their cottage. This request has been made to a number of cottage owners in the UK and France although using a variety of names. Cumbria Tourism is warning members to be aware of these types of requests and ignore them.
Accommodation Scam
A Cumbria Tourism member was recently emailed by a man called 'Mr Franklin Furtune' requesting to book accommodation. Along with this he asked the accommodation owner to make payments on their behalf to a car hire company. Cumbria Tourism is warning members to be aware of this type of scam which involves paying money to third parties with the promise of a transfer into their own account as the credit card details may be fraudulent or stolen.
Accommodation Scam
A Cumbria Tourism member was recently emailed by a man called 'Jones Morgan' requesting to book accommodation. Along with this he said he would pay €4000 extra asking the accommodation provider to transfer the money to a car hire company. Cumbria Tourism is warning members to be aware of customers asking them to pay money on to third parties as there is a risk that their credit card details may be fraudulent or stolen.
Accommodation Scam
An ex-member of staff from the Stonecross Manor Hotel, Kendal has been recently booking accommodation using the Stonecross Manor as a reference and then departing without paying or paying by cheques that bounce. The man in question goes under the name of Neil Little, is 6ft 6, of stocky build and has medium brown hair.
Advertising Scam
A Cumbria Tourism member was recently sent an invoice for £125 from ‘Active Business Media' for their ‘full colour ad' in the ‘Active Community Guide'. This guide is completely independent from Cumbria Tourism and we are warning members to be aware of this sort of activity and to only pay for their Cumbria Tourism advertising through the official Cumbria Tourism booking form.
Information provided by Lakes Hospitality Association
It has been brought to the attention of the LHA that a considerable number of businesses in the Lake District and surrounding areas have received a letter from a company called EXPO Guide asking companies to sign up for a payable entry to their online database 'www.expo-guide.com' for a 3 year period as an exhibitor at the Lakes Hospitality Show and other shows.
Whilst the LHA cannot vouch for the sincerity of this letter or the company they would like to make businesses aware that Lakes Hospitality Association are in no way associated with Expo Guide, have any relations with them whatsoever or are responsible for any listings they publish under the banner of the Lakes Hospitality Show/Best of Lakeland Show. They would therefore advise that any action taken on this letter by any business is the sole responsibility of the business owner.
If you have any queries or concerns regarding this then, please do not hesitate to contact the LHA.
