A report in the Geelong Advertiser says that Geelong residents are being targeted by fraudsters selling fake airfares, with telephone callers posing as Virgin Blue representatives, offering 12-month open tickets to Brisbane and Sydney for $99 return, then ask for credit card payment.
Unwitting buyers are told their tickets will be sent to them in the form of vouchers, with Corio resident Beryl Shaw raising the alarm when she received a call, with Mrs Shaw, a frequent Virgin Blue customer, said she suspected something was awry when the caller explained the purchase details.
“He sounded very professional, he was very well spoken and quite convincing, but it twigged when he said it would come in the form of vouchers,” she said.
“My concern is that someone more vulnerable than me would do it and give their credit card details over the phone.”
Virgin Blue spokeswoman Leonie Van Deven said the company did not sell tickets through cold calling, and urged people to alert police if they were targeted.
She said tickets could only be bought through Virgin’s call centre, website or via travel agents.
Consumer Affairs Victoria officials have not been informed about the scam, but warned against it and advised people to avoid giving credit card details.
Report by The Mole
