Scammers pretending to offer Thomas Cook refunds are calling holidaymakers to try and steal their bank account details
CROOKS pretending to offer Thomas Cook refunds are calling holidaymakers in order to steal their bank account details.
The scammers are trying to con innocent Brits who've been left out of pocket, with thousands stranded after the tour operator collapsed yesterday.
Thomas Cook went bust in the early hours of Monday after it failed to stump up £200million required by creditors.
The collapse sparked the UK's biggest repatriation effort since World War Two, with around 150,000 Brits stranded abroad.
But since then, several people say they've received phone calls from crooks who claim they can arrange an immediate refund, as long as they give their bank account details.
Some of them pretended to be Thomas Cook representatives, while others claimed to be from the customers' banks.
One user wrote on Twitter: "Thomas Cook refund agents just rang.
"If I would give my bank account details they will arrange immediate refund of my holiday.
"Only problem is I have not booked a Thomas Cook holiday. Some people will stop at nothing in their scam attempts."
Another person wrote on Facebook: "Just had a phone call from 'Thomas Cook refund agent' going to give me a refund on the holiday I have purchased (no I haven't).
"Just need my card details and three digit number on the back to refund me.
"This is disgusting... people have lost their jobs and livelihoods and people are already scamming."
A third person wrote: "There is a new scam going around in regards to a company being able to get your money back off Thomas Cook if you pay an upfront fee or supply the card details of which you made the payment with.
"Only people who can (attempt) to get your money back is the bank & insurance companies."
While another Facebook page added: "A colleague advised of a customer being contacted by her 'bank' offering to help her obtain a refund for her Thomas Cook holiday."
The scam calls come after banking trade body UK Finance warned yesterday that criminals will use the Thomas Cook collapse "to scam you out of your money".
Its "Take Five" campaign wrote on Twitter: "Criminals will use Thomas Cook going into liquidation as a cover story to scam you out of your money.
"Criminals will attempt to get individuals to disclose personal or financial information, which they will then use for their own fraudulent purposes."
With any phone calls, if you can't verify the identity of the caller, you should always avoid sharing any details and instead hang up the phone.
Plus, if you're waiting to claim a refund from Thomas Cook for a package holiday, be aware that you can only start doing so from this Monday - September 30 - when the Civil Aviation Authority sets up its service.
Customers can get updates on .
If you booked your flights and accommodation separately, you can claim back your money in other ways - we've explained everything you need to know in our round-up.
If you think you’ve handed over your card details to a scammer, you should contact your bank immediately.
Also make sure to report it to on 0300 123 2040.
A spokesperson for the Official Receiver, the body managing the closure of Thomas Cook, told The Sun: "We are aware of Thomas Cook customers being offered refunds in exchange for an upfront payment and bank details.
"Do not engage with these offers and report them immediately to the Official Receiver and Action Fraud UK."
You can get in touch with the Official Receiver by emailing [email protected].
How you can spot a scam
HERE are tips from the Take Five campaign on spotting Thomas Cook fraud:
1. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text.
2. Always question uninvited phone calls in case it's a scam.
3. Always contact your bank or card provider directly using a known email or phone number.
4. If you'd like more information about Thomas Cook, check out .
Most read in money
The scam warning comes as airlines and travel firms have been accused of ripping off Thomas Cook customers as prices have tripled since the collapse.
Thomas Cook hotel staff also threatened to call the Spanish police if they don't pay their £1,100 bill, according to a Brit holidaymaker.
While bosses of the tour operator have pocketed £47million in pay and bonuses since 2007.
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