Is this a holiday scam?

Fuchsia_2

Im not sure if this is the right place to post but just wondered if anybody knew anything about a holiday scam via email doing the rounds? I have been sent an email for a 7 Day Turkey Holiday for two persons, flights and 5 star hotel accommodation, PAID IN FULL

I am to spend three nights at one hotel, three nights at another and one night at an hotel in the mountains! I know most timeshares come via telephone or letter, but Ive never come across email before. I have to pay a £20 admin fee.

We have contacted a credit card company hoping they might have come across this, but they just say "to be careful" and dont really advise anything else.

There was an icon for Planet24 at the end of the message and when I checked their website it mentioned that if a member of the public suspected anything fraudulent with their name on, to let them know. I did this but have heard nothing back.

I have checked the address at the bottom which is European Vacations Ltd, 4 Fairview, Beech Road, High Wycombe, HP11 1XU Registered No. 04063257 But no telephone number.

Having ignored this for a week, yesterday I received the same email again saying that I noticed I had not responded. The icons at the bottom of email for "Turkey" and "European Vacations" are different, but no Planet24 icon.

My gut reaction is to ignore this, but at the sametime if it is not a scam I would hate to miss out. I also want to stop anybody else falling for it, if it is a scam. Any advice gratefully received. Thanks.

Fuchsia

alwaysonthego_2

It's a scam!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g297962-i772-k2952505-European_Vacations_Ltd-Antalya_Turkish_Mediterranean_Coast.html

pennylane99

http://www.europeanvacationslimited.co.uk/index2.html

pennylane99

if you do a search on this site for European Vacations there are other threads on this

wannaberichbtch

Ask yourself this. Why would a stranger be so desperate to give you a free holiday?

Fuchsia_2

Thanks to you guys for your advice. Dont think I will be taking up the offer !

[Deleted User]

Not exactly a scam... *BUT*

I've been doing some hefty googling since posting the same question on a travel forum and have found out the following:

This company turned out to be real and do run holidays *however* they make their money from "optional" meals, excursions and also "seasonal supplements" (ie any time you want to go, lol!)

However, *IF* you're very flexible with dates, resist the excursions and are perhaps willing to take a chance on not being plopped into a hotel with no cafes, restaurants near by then it seems you can get a very reasonable holiday... But nothing is ever free, and you'd probably get a cheap internet deal for the same/less.

There's a good thread on holiday watchdog about it - divided between people who are saying "it's a scam! I can't use my £20 voucher" and people who say "I've been on one - it was alright!"

I'm thinking this could be worth a punt *IF* one isn't not tied down to any particular holiday dates and the hotel areas they use seem to be well-populated. Turkish resorts amenities like restaurants, bars, cafes could "close down" in the off-season though?

More research I think!!

[Deleted User]

http://forum.holidaywatchdog.com/Timeshare-&-Holiday-Clubs-European-Vacations-and-Universal-Holidays-Thread-3611-Page-5.html holiday watchdog thread

hartcjhart

and here

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1774209