Recently contacted Trailfinders (amongst others) to seek prices for flights from Manchester to Miami. The sales lady enquired about our additional plans and I explained I was also interested in a single night accommodation in Miami, a cruise with Royal Caribbean and a week's car hire. She said she'd get a quote together a.s.a.p.

I hoped to receive an email, perhaps with a link to a quotation but today, instead, I received in the mail what can best be described as a Booking Confirmation complete with a balance amount due and the date payment should be made.

For a moment or two I was concerned - wondering if I'd given this company my credit card details. The fear being that they may charge the due amount to such a card without my explicit agreement.

When I telephoned them this morning they greeted me by my own surname - their caller display system clearly being connected to their computer database.

Now, I'm not saying anything underhand was intended but the immediate reaction to receiving such a document was concern on my part. I consider myself to be reasonably "seasoned travellers" but this kind of practice with, say, my older relatives would be concerning.

I thought I'd mention it here on the site as a warning for the benefit of all.

Mike