A local travel agency has allegedly closed its doors following claims that residents paid for trips that were never booked.
Natasha Flett is one of those residents, who said she took action when she saw the claims on social media.
“My credit card states International Travel on it, so I called WestJet vacations who we were booked through to see if they have any information for us, for our flight, hotel and stuff and they have zero information for any of us.”
Flett said her and a friend booked through International Travel Services on Nov. 18, spending a total of roughly $14,000 between the two of them to take their families to Mexico in February.
According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, the owner of the store is Ujeer Ahmed, the same person many on social media say they dealt with when booking.
The BBB is unable to confirm whether an investigation is ongoing. As of Jan. 2, the International Travel Services page on its website said company information is being updated.
A spokesperson with the BBB said that it usually takes about 30 days to reach the “close process.”
If the owner of the business doesn’t respond to a complaint the file would be closed as no response.
While MyMcMurray has been unable to confirm whether the business has closed, a statement from the Fort McMurray Airport Authority states customers who booked the YMM Laughlin Experience through the travel agency will not be impacted by its closure.
Wood Buffalo RCMP has confirmed a “significant amount” of reports have been filed involving the travel agency.
Anyone who feels they have found themselves in a similar situation is encouraged to contact police.
International Travel Services is located in Peter Pond Mall and has a location in Edmonton.
