A new warning has been issued over the soaring number of holiday scams as demand for travel soars. Action Fraud received 4,244 reports of holiday and travel-related fraud in 2021/22 – a “substantial” increase of more than 120 per cent when compared to the previous financial year.
Victims reported being conned out of a total of almost £7.4 million – an average loss of £1,868 per victim. Action Fraud has launched a national awareness campaign to urge the public to think twice before handing over money and personal information when booking holidays.
Pauline Smith, head of Action Fraud, said: “As the world begins to open up and travel restrictions relax further, it’s no surprise that more people are eager to get away and kick back with their loved ones after two years of lockdowns and restrictions. Unfortunately, we know that as demand for holidays soar, so does the number of scams and criminals are always finding new ways to catch people out and make them part with their hard earned cash.
“When booking a holiday here or abroad, it’s so important to do your research before handing over any money or personal details. Trust your instincts and remember, if a deal looks too good to be true, then it probably is.”
Graeme Buck ABTA director of communications, added: “Over the years ABTA has seen the damage caused by travel fraudsters when devastated customers find out their holiday or trip to visit friends and family does not actually exist. The cost to them is not just financial; travel-related fraud crime also causes emotional distress and extreme disappointment.
“There is help available and you can protect yourself from these unscrupulous individuals by checking and following the tips and advice on abta.com. However, if are unlucky enough to fall victim, always report the crime to Action Fraud so that they can prevent other people from going through the same awful experience.”
Top tips to avoid falling victim to holiday fraud
- Stay safe online: check the web address is legitimate and has not been altered by slight changes to a domain name – such as going from .co.uk to .org.
- Do your research: don’t just rely on one review – do a thorough online search to ensure the company is credible. If a company is defrauding people, there is a good chance that consumers will post details of their experience, and warnings about the company.
- Look for the logo: check whether the company is an ABTA Member. Look for the ABTA logo on the company's website. If you have any doubts, you can verify membership of ABTA online on the website. If you're booking a flight as part of a package holiday and want more information about ATOL protection, or would like to check whether a company is an ATOL holder, visit the CAA website.
- Pay safe: wherever possible, pay by credit card. You should avoid paying directly into a private individual’s bank account.
- Check the paperwork: you should study receipts, invoices and terms and conditions, and be very wary of any companies that don’t provide any at all. When booking through a Holiday Club or Timeshare, get the contract thoroughly vetted by a solicitor before signing up.
- Use your instincts: if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
For a full list of tips to avoid becoming a victim of fraud, please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/planning-and-booking-a-holiday/how-avoid-travel-related-fraud.
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