Sharp rise in holiday booking scams – how to keep safe

There has been a sharp rise in the number of Brits falling victim to holiday booking fraud, according to a new report.

The figures, compiled by the City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), reveal the number of cases reported in 2016 soared almost 20% year on year from 4,910 to 5,826.

Scammers stole £7.2 million from unsuspecting travellers in 2016, with victims losing £1,200 on average and over a quarter (26%) saying that the fraud also had a significant impact on their health.

Cases spike in the summer months and December, indicating that fraudsters are homing in on holidaymakers and people making last-minute arrangements for Christmas.

The NFIB is warning that holidaymakers could be particularly vulnerable in 2017 as the overseas travel industry is reporting healthy early booking levels with accommodation and flights at a premium.

So, fraudsters may try and cash in with “good deals” over the summer.

The two most commonly-targeted age group are those aged 20-29 and 30-39, many of whom will have young families, the report found.

Common holiday scams to watch out for

Be extra careful when booking these as they're prime targets for fraudsters.

Holiday accommodation

Scammers are adept at making up fake websites which look astonishingly like the real thing. They also hack into legitimate accounts and post fake adverts on websites and social media.

Airline tickets

These cases involve customers booking a flight and receiving a fake ticket or paying for a ticket that just doesn’t turn up.

Last year, flights to Africa and the Indian sub-continent were heavily targeted, suggesting that those visiting friends and family are more vulnerable.

Sports and religious trips

Tickets with limited availability are a magnet for fraudsters because of the higher prices they can grab.

Timeshares and holiday clubs

Police say that the sums involved with this form of fraud are particularly high with victims losing tens of thousands of pounds each.

How to avoid becoming a victim of holiday scams

Now that we’re coming up to peak holiday season, it’s vital that you stay sharp when booking that holiday.

Make sure the website is legitimate and has not been altered by slight changes to the domain – like going from .co.uk to .org.

Do some thorough research on companies you don’t recognise before you confirm any arrangements.

Start by checking reviews and the company’s credentials – if it’s defrauding people, victims will likely have posted their story online or contacted the press.

Book directly with the airline, hotel or through a reputable agent. If dealing with a property owner make sure you ask them lots of questions about the booking, room, location and area.

Look for the ABTA or ATOL logo to confirm that the company is legitimate. You can verify membership on their respective websites.

Even though it’s quick and easy, don’t pay direct into the owner’s account via a bank transfer or agree to pay in cash. It’s much more difficult to trace and retrieve your funds. 

Increasingly fraudsters claim that these types of payments are the only ones ‘protected’ by their bogus insurance schemes. But the best payment protection is offered through a credit card.

Transactions over £100 will usually be covered by your credit card provider under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

Study receipts, invoices and small print, and be very wary of companies that don’t provide any at all. If you’re booking through a holiday club or timeshare, ask a solicitor to comb through the documentation before signing up.

As always, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You can find more information about how to stay safe when booking or researching travel online at Get Safe Online and report anything suspicious to Action Fraud.

Don't forget about your travel insurance - find the right policy for you at the loveMONEY travel insurance centre.