There is an interesting article in The Sunday Times travel section today - can't post links - on companies who show incorrect or plain deceitful information on their websites claiming to be members of ATOL etc. Trading Standards are often aware but prosecution is a very low priority. They claim there are far more important things that require their attention.

There are enough complaints here on HT about ATOL members etc but more important is the fact you will not know the claim of membership is false until something goes wrong. That is obviously too late.

The only real advice if dealing with any of these "small specialist companies" is to check the official ATOL or other websites before parting with any money.

fwh