Trade-only operator Jetset has now signed up more than 1,280 agents to its new pin code security system, which looks likely to become mandatory later this year.
The call centre security system launched at the start of February to combat fraudsters posing as agents. The scammers pretended to work for an agency and give a genuine Abta number before asking to book.
Adrian Smyth, sales director at Jetset, told a Travel Weekly webcast that the operator had to act quickly as it had encountered several instances within a two-week period.
Initially, the scheme is voluntary but he expects it will become mandatory “once adoption has naturally reached a certain level”.
He said there was a debate internally when the plan for the four-digit codes was being formulated as there might have been concern about agents having to deal with extra layers of complexity when making a booking.
“It’s down to the agent to decide whether they want to assign the pin and help us all in this because I think we’re all in this together,” he said.
A new phone system is being introduced which could give agents the option of inputting their pin code as soon as they call.
Asked when he expects the system to be mandatory, he said: “I would like to think the early part of the second half of this year. We will be doing a countdown, we will give notice.”
Jackie Steadman, owner at TravelTime World, commented: “We’re already dealing with passwords and so having an extra pin number on our system is not a big a deal.”
More: Lack of police resources means most frauds are ‘not investigated’