Just over a year ago, Kalkan Turkish Local News told you about a rental scam.

People sent a cheque for more than the amount due for the property rental, then asked the owners to send the surplus amount back by bank transfer.  The cheque bounced.

We hear there is a new one doing the rounds, which is being received by Kalkan property owners.

This time, it's a bit different. An email purports to come from a Mr Simon Cowell, of Cowell Travel & Tours.

The email asks if a property is available, and an offer is made to pay by credit card, which is in fact stolen. 

Once the fraudulent payment has been made, they cancel the holiday, and ask for a refund into their bank account, (not the credit card).  This is where it gets extremely messy.  The fraudulent credit card payment is reversed by the card company.

We know of one Kalkan property owner, who has narrowly missed becoming a victim.  To find out more, Google "Cowell Travel & Tours scam".

It's not big, and it's not clever.  Mr Simon Cowell, of Cowell Travel & Tours, certainly doesn't have the X Factor.

 

Kalkan Turkish Local News - your window on Kalkan Turkey