spainrico

The UK government has taken action against this disgusting practice and several fraudulent claimants have had the tables turned on them which could them 1000's...............

From a British Embassy Madrid press release..........

'British Ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley recently wrote to key stakeholders in the Spanish tourism industry informing them of the steps taken by the UK government to tackle fraudulent sickness claims, an issue which has had a serious impact both on hoteliers in Spain and the UK package holiday industry.
Ambassador Simon Manley said:
“The issue of fraudulent sickness claims rightly caused concern in Spain, and has a serious impact on Spanish hoteliers. The recent measures announced by the British Government show how seriously we take this issue, and our determination to clamp down on loop holes and fraudulent claims. 18 million British tourists visit Spain each year, and whilst the vast majority of holiday makers will not make false claims, these recent measures will help clamp down on those who do, As our travel advice says, making a false claim could result in legal proceedings in the UK or in Spain”.
The Ambassador stressed the seriousness with which the British Government and package holiday industry are treating false claims, and set out the steps that have been taken and legal measures put in place to put an end to this unethical and illegal practice.'..............................

Golden Years

Good.

missile

False claims?

spainrico

Yes totally false. Claiming for food poisoning, some up to 3 years after the holiday! When investigations have proven no reports at the time or contact with medical services. Claims promoted by those companies seeking money for claiming on behalf of false claimants. Total scam.

amideislas

Majorca hits back as hotels hire private detectives to catch British holidaymakers who fake food poisoning

lurchio

Its the latest mutation of the 'claim culture' and involves our old friends the ambulance chasing Agents and Solicitors after a settlement for the client, and up to a 25% 'success fee'. They contact all inclusive holiday makers on return from holiday. Due to the nature of an all inclusive, its reasonable to assume they have only eaten at the resort, so that's the burden of proof 'on the balance of probabilities' sorted. Quite where they get the details from (Tour Operator, Resort 'mole') is a question, but they also hang about departure lounges of the main airports.


If you can produce receipts for any treatment for stomach upsets, etc., the letter goes out to the Hotel on 'official' paper, setting out the claim. Fight or flight? Fight and it could cost more than the claim is worth in legal fees, Court costs, so it's a pay out to make the problem go away. Oldest trick in the book, and works well due to high legal costs in the UK. They are British Citizens, so can apply for the ruling Court to be in the UK, more costs for the Spanish Hotelier should he want to fight it. (But they settle, its cheaper...)


Glad to see they are fighting back against the scum involved in this, its more than UK businesses do (been there, as an Insurance Manager for a while), again due to the costs of the 'fight'. Another example of the minority letting their kinsmen down, but who cares, they may get the cost of the holiday back, so I'm alright Jack. Never mind that it puts up Holiday prices to recoup the loss, or Travel Insurance, lets get what we are 'entitled' to.


My Son returned from an all inclusive on Majorca, approached by telephone and was subject to a 'nudge, nudge, wink, wink conversation with one of the 'Agents' who told him they would get his money back IF he played ball with them. He didn't take it up, he was brought up differently to that.


I hope any fraudsters get whats coming to them, Civil costs and fines can be VERY punitive and the previously helpful Solicitor will be nowhere to be seen as your house or valuables are seized.


And what about any GENUINE cases? They will suffer because of all this, and that's also wrong.

bobd22

Totally agree it is endemic in the UK these days, too many looking for something for nothing assisted by ambulance chasing lawyers. I hope they and the solicitors get their just desserts.

Longlegpete

Good news if they can stop most of it, the something for nothing claims are costing other holiday goers more as hotels etc have to recoup costs somewhere

spainrico

This just announced by British Embassy in Madrid

'Licence stripped from holiday sickness firm

A firm responsible for pressuring people into making holiday-sickness claims has had its licence stripped by the Claims Management Regulator.


Intelligence gathered by the Claims Management Regulator (CMR) officers revealed that Lancashire based Allsure Ltd had encouraged holiday-goers to fabricate or embellish symptoms of gastric illness to get compensation. Further evidence showed the firm had used deceptive sales scripts – exaggerating expected pay-outs to entice consumers.

This conduct has led to the firm’s licence being cancelled. This means that it can no longer offer regulated claims management services to new or existing clients.'....

tebo53

One company gone....another starts up!!