ELITE FINANCIAL SERVICE, CANCUN QROO, MEXICO Withdrew US$699 from my account for US taxes relating to a fraudulent 'winning holiday' scam. CANCUN Other

On Tuesday August 26nd '08 I was informed by phone that I had won a holiday for four people, 6 days and 6 nights in Cancun, Mexico plus 5 days and 4 nights in Orlando,USA, all flights, accommodation and meals included, and only the US taxes to be paid.

I asked the name of the company. It was MCS Holidays, I was told by a guy who said he was Maz Stallone, whose phone number was 1800 943 3450 (I seem to have noted another tel. no: 0808 101 0061). I was given a claim number: DC4456AK.

When I asked how I could be certain that this was genuine, I was transferred to what was supposed to be an independant regulatory body, which in retrospect I imagine was just another desk in the same call centre.

Not wanting to lose the opportunity, I did give my credit card details, but as soon as I put down the phone, I rang the number given, which turned out to be a number for Littlewoods Catalogue, and nothing to do with holidays, credit card promotions or anything like that. Checked Companies House (UK) but no such company as MCS Holidays had ever been registered.

So I got on to the credit card company, Citi (an Easijet Mastercard) to cancel the transaction, but was told that I had to wait until it was obvious that I had been sold a service (or item) that had not been delivered.

I can only hope that so long after the transaction, they will cover my loss, but there seems to be no way to track down this Elite Financial Service, whatever their relationship is with the equally ephemeral MCS Holidays.

Eileen
London
United Kingdom