Busy job? Exhausting lifestyle? Need an escape from it all? You might be thinking of looking for a last-minute, low-cost holiday this summer. But don’t allow fraudsters to turn your dream holiday into a nightmare!
For those looking for a last-minute getaway this summer, you’ll want the best deals available, particularly as the cost of everyday items continues to soar.
So if you're browsing the web for cheap deals we have some advice for you, starting with a simple line that we use quite regularly: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
Below are some more top tips and advice to ensure that you can book with confidence.
Fraudsters use fake online adverts, bogus sales calls, emails and text messages offering incredibly cheap rates to tempt you in to booking a holiday with them.
They may steal images of hotels or rented apartments from other travel websites and pass them off as their own.
You’re told to pay in cash or via a bank transfer, such as MoneyWise or Western Union, which can be difficult to trace and isn’t refundable.
You may find out at the airport that you’re not booked on the promised flight, or once you arrive the hotel or letting doesn’t have your name booked for a stay, or extras that were part of your booking – such as excursions or transport – aren’t included.
In some cases, the fraudster may completely end contact after you’ve paid and won’t confirm anything you’ve booked; the holiday they’ve offered doesn’t exist.
You may be offered the chance to go on a free holiday in return for watching a presentation; this is holiday club fraud.
Report it to Action Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040. If they're a member of the Association of British Travel Agents, report to them too.
Reporting
Report all Fraud and Cybercrime to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online. Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Report SMS scams by forwarding the original message to 7726 (spells SPAM on the keypad).
Click to Open Code Editor