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Fraud guide
Holiday scams
Top tips to stay safe
Fraudsters use fake holiday adverts to trick you into booking a holiday with them that doesn't exist.
Follow our top five tips before booking your next holiday:
- Beware of dodgy deals: watch out for deals that sound too good to be true because they're usually a scam.
- Check out online reviews: look for negative reviews or a lack of reviews that could mean the company isn't genuine.
- Avoid paying with cash or bank transfer: always try to pay by card if you can for extra protection.
- Beware of urgency: scammers often rush you into making decisions by claiming it something is a limited time deal.
- Book with a company you know and trust: when you buy a holiday from a member of these schemes you get protection on your payments:
ABTA is the UK’s largest travel association. Provided that your travel agent is a member, your money is protected and you’re entitled to a refund if they close down.
If your travel agent has an ATOL, but goes out of business – you won’t get stranded or lose your money.
How to spot holiday scams
Scammers use different ways to trick you into booking a fake holiday. Here are the most common tactics:
- Research: take the time to thoroughly research the travel agency, website, or company you are dealing with.
- Super low prices: be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, as they may be a ploy to lure you in.
- Unclear contact information: genuine companies provide clear contact information. If you can't find a physical address, phone number, or email, it's a red flag.
- Fake websites: be cautious of websites with slight variations in the link of well-known booking and travel sites. Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and messages.
Staying safe on holiday
Data roaming charges can be expensive, so free Wi-Fi (like the open networks you find in hotels) can be really handy. But that doesn’t mean they’re always secure.
These networks are usually open, which means anyone can log on or that many people have the password. This makes it easier for fraudsters to see any details you enter on the same network.
Make sure the network name is the one printed in official hotel guest books. Scammers sometimes set up fake hotel networks with names that are very similar to the genuine one
When using open Wi-Fi networks, stick to messaging and browsing, and avoid entering any personal information.
Changing money can give fraudsters an opportunity to try to trick you out of your holiday funds. Use a credit card where possible and try to order your travel money online before you leave.
Make sure you find out exchange rates yourself and get an idea of how much currency you should be getting
Count money carefully to make sure you get the amount you’re expecting
When paying for goods abroad with a card, always pay in local currency.
This might be finding out your bill is far larger than expected because you’ve been charged for snacks and drinks that seemed like they were complimentary, or you’ve simply been overcharged for tiny portions.
To avoid a potential restaurant scam, make sure you:
Pay in local currency where possible
Look at reviews to find the best places to eat before you arrive
Look out for additional charges, like cover or water charges
Only eat or drink what you’ve ordered
Use the menu to work out the cost while deciding what to order
Make sure you get an itemised receipt.
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