New analysis of consumer data by Lloyds Bank has discovered that holidaymakers falling victim to flight scams are losing on average nearly £3,000 with a significant rise in the number of scams relating to caravan short stays being reported.
The bank said the volume of scams being reported, which are linked to holiday bookings, has increased by 33 per cent over the past year. The average amount lost to flight fraud was £2,955, with victims of package holidays and hotel-related scams losing around £2,342 and £1,231, respectively.
And with many people opting for UK-based holidays over the last 12 months, Lloyds said scams linked to people booking short stays in caravans has more than doubled with staycationers losing on average £374.
The bank said many scams start with false adverts on search engines or social media. Victims often click on a link taking them to a website and believe they are dealing with a legitimate company - but it’s not.
Some fraudsters lurk on real accommodation listing sites, convincing victims to transfer cash directly rather than through the official platform.
Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds Bank, said: "Now that most pandemic restrictions have come to an end, many of us will be looking forward to a more traditional summer holiday this year.
"But with demand soaring and prices rising fast, would-be holidaymakers can't afford to let their guard down when hunting for the best deals.
"Scammers are ready to cash in on any last-minute surge in bookings, so it's vital that consumers know how to stay safe.
"Book directly with trusted sites or travel agents, avoid following links on social media, and always pay by card for the greatest protection. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is."
Lloyds Bank’s five top tips to avoid holiday scams this summer
- Fraudsters put adverts for fake holidays on social media and the internet. They can also send offers by email or text pretending to be from a real company - these deals often look much cheaper than those you can find elsewhere
- Make sure the deal is genuine - consider booking a holiday with a company that is Abta or Atol protected
- Take your time to make sure an offer is genuine before you choose to buy and part with cash, either as a deposit or paying in full
- Protect how you pay - credit cards, for example, give people additional consumer protections if something goes wrong
- If someone wants you to pay directly to a bank account or by wire transfer, it may be a sign of a possible scam - check it out thoroughly before sending any money
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