Easytobook.com fraudulent use of credit card
Complaint 335207 Details

Sydney, Australia
Jan 05, 2015, 6:55 AM
On 30 Dec 2014 I attempted to book accommodation initially via booking.com and after completing a search I selected my chosen hotel; however, before I was able to complete the booking for this hotel a pop up appeared on the screen from easytobook.com saying I could book the same hotel at a cheaper rate through them - Not one to miss an opportunity, I selected this option instead and entered my details. After I was asked to enter my credit card details, the system then attempted to process the transaction but before it could finish I received an error message informing me that the reservation was no longer available and that my credit card would not be charged.

Two days later I called my bank after receiving a text from them advising there had been a suspected transaction on my credit card and that I should confirm if the transaction was legitimate or not. I immediately called my bank and to my astonishment learned there were 4 separate pre-approved transactions on my card from easytobook.com for a combined total of almost $2,500! When I called easytobook.com to request an explanation, I was told the reservation was cancelled immediately as the room was no longer available and that the pre- approved amount should not have been activated on my credit card. Easytobook.com then promised to send my bank an authorisation to reverse the pre-approved amounts immediately. A few days later, after numerous calls, I was still waiting! QUESTION: WHY SHOULD THERE BE PRE-APPROVED TRANSACTIONS ON MY CREDIT CARD WHEN NO RESERVATION WAS MADE? - THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME.

It is now 6 days and I am still waiting to have the pre-approved amount reversed! Thanks to easytobook.com for ruining my holiday. My advice is to be very wary of this website - you are better off using booking.com, or another reputable online booking agent, as you can be assured they will only use your credit card if the room was actually reserved.

Another thing, the call centre is based in India and apparently all issues have to be forwarded to the head office in The Netherlands "allegedly" - to be resolved - Not very ethical/honest business practice.