Tourists urged to ignore scams
Travellers have been warned not to fall for con men seeking to exploit their last window of opportunity with timeshare schemes.
The European Parliament passed a new law last year, which blocks the holiday club and timeshare scams, but it doesn't come into force until 2011 and holidaymakers are being urged not to fall for the cheats' swansong.
The new legislation increases the red tape for contract terms and cooling-off periods for "timeshare-like products". Canal boats, cruise ships and caravans will also be controlled by the new rules and there will be a ban on advance payments to sellers until the 14 days has expired.
SNP Euro MP, Ian Hudghton, said: "Every year a number of unsuspecting holidaymakers find themselves victims of timeshare and holiday club scams.
"These laws will not be fully applied across the EU until 2011 and so the conmen are still out there.
"My advice therefore is for holidaymakers to tread carefully if approached by salesmen on the beach or in the bars.
"No honest salesman will demand a signature up front; anyone who does is bogus and should be sharply sent on their way."
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