Copperhead
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- Jun 24, 2008
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If this is a scam this scammer is doing things quite differently than any other. Here are the details, please provide any ideas how I can verify it being legit without creating a problem if it IS legit.
Received a phone call with a UK #. British sounding individual introduced herself with name and being with Am eric an Ex press travel. Asking about 2 rooms (even gave the 2 room names) for 4 nights for certain dates this month. Asked for business rate, 1 person each. After providing rate & details she said that she would check with the clients and would EMAIL me the reservation and would put the CC in 2 sep. emails for security. I stressed the security of our online booking system would be the preferred method.
I felt that would be the end of it, but within the hour received 2 emails providing the names of the guests and the CC # w/exp broken into the 2 emails. Her (the agent) contact details were provided. And the name of the company these individuals were connected. This company is worldwide and has a local office not far from here.
Here are the red flags:
and said I tried the number provided but it was an incomplete number.
Any thoughts on this? How, other than making an overseas phone call to the number listed online of the travel agency (address given in email was same as what is posted online, phone number was different), can I check if she is an agent and if her IATA is correct? Or should I bother?
Received a phone call with a UK #. British sounding individual introduced herself with name and being with Am eric an Ex press travel. Asking about 2 rooms (even gave the 2 room names) for 4 nights for certain dates this month. Asked for business rate, 1 person each. After providing rate & details she said that she would check with the clients and would EMAIL me the reservation and would put the CC in 2 sep. emails for security. I stressed the security of our online booking system would be the preferred method.
I felt that would be the end of it, but within the hour received 2 emails providing the names of the guests and the CC # w/exp broken into the 2 emails. Her (the agent) contact details were provided. And the name of the company these individuals were connected. This company is worldwide and has a local office not far from here.
Here are the red flags:
- of course the emails providing the CC, seems unlikely for a professional TA
- the card provided was a MC
- info not provided: name on card, billing address, contact info of guests
- checked the IATA # and it does not meet the standard format or number requirements
- UK phone number provided to agent is 1 number shy of number requirements.
- UK phone number provided is different than the one listed on caller ID and also different than the # listed online for the office claimed in the email.
Any thoughts on this? How, other than making an overseas phone call to the number listed online of the travel agency (address given in email was same as what is posted online, phone number was different), can I check if she is an agent and if her IATA is correct? Or should I bother?