The ultimate guide for avoiding holiday scams this summer season

The Internet has made booking a holiday much easier and more convenient, but it has also opened up new opportunities for scammers, especially with ever growing holiday scams.

Scammers are preying on the hopes of Britons who are in a desperate need for a well-earned holiday. The years of lockdowns make enticing discounted offers very enticing, especially when the cost of living crisis reigns supreme. This scam specifically targets our collective aspirations of escaping after such a lengthy and difficult period. To deceive you, criminals create phony websites that appear professional and convincing, featuring photos of unrealistic luxury villas and apartments to imply they can be trusted. Fake social media accounts play a big role in this too. There have been a lot more reports of holiday scams as the globe has reopened and people become more eager to travel. Keep an eye out for any too-good-to-be-true offers, and do your homework to avoid being duped.

How to protect yourself from being scammed?

When you finally find an offer that looks good, check the website's URL. If it's a fake website, it may have a slightly different spelling or use a different domain name (.net instead of .com, or .co rather than .co.uk, for example). Also be wary of sites that lack contact information or only have an email address. A legitimate business should have a physical address and phone number listed somewhere on their site, which would match a simple google search or HMRC's business database.

Research deeper than just social media.

If you're planning to book through one of these websites, make sure to do a thorough search online first. See if there are any reviews from other customers and consider if they were written from real people. Furthermore, try to find the company's contact information and give them a call to double-check that the offer is legitimate. Finally, always pay with a credit card, so that you can dispute the charges if you do accidentally end up getting scammed.

Don't get enticed by other people's social media posts or advertisements offering too good to be true deals. It's likely that many posts of this nature come from fake social media accounts created specifically to sell a story. For example, after a series of posts about exotic holidays showcasing how happy the people traveling abroad, the fake social media accounts could offer holiday deals or holiday bookings. Unfortunately many of those cheap travel deals are hosted on fake website with a suspicious web address.

Such offers could often ask for an upfront fee to entice you to sign up now. They could pose as a travel agent, offer immediate refunds or even claim that they are featured in local tourist information desk. Don't be fooled. Research any potential travel agencies before hand. Does their business address exists? Are they listed within the government's genuine organisations? Even then, many holiday offers scammers use official branding of an established reputable agent or real organisations.

When you're planning your dream holiday, take a few extra minutes to do some research and avoid becoming a victim of a holiday scam. You need to take charge and be safe online. With just a little bit of effort, you can ensure that your hard-earned money doesn't end up in the wrong hands.

Here are a few booking accommodation tips if you are planning on travelling abroad:

• Be wary of any too-good-to-be-true offers. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• Do your homework before booking anything. Check reviews and make sure the company is legitimate.

• Never pay with cash - use a credit card, so you can dispute the charges if necessary.

• Be careful of sharing your bank details online. Not every website can be trust worthy.

• Look for a padlock symbol in the top left corner of the website address.

3 things you need to do to have a stress-free holiday

When planning a holiday, it's vital to use a trustworthy travel service or agent. Using a member of a trade association such as ABTA or ATOL will aid in the assurance of your safety. If you have doubts about them, please contact them directly rather than calling one of the numbers provided in an email. Taking the time to consider before offering money or personal information can help you avoid being scammed.

Always use the secure payment options recommended by reputable online travel providers. You should also use a credit card for purchases over £100, as this will give you protection under Section 75 of the UK's Consumer Credit Act.

Always read the terms and conditions before making any purchases, and research the organisation you're booking through.

What are the most common holiday booking scams?

The most common type of scam is when criminals pose as representatives of a well-known company to get hold of your personal or financial details. They may do this by calling you out of the blue, emailing you or sending a text message. Some scammers could even approach you in person!

Many scammers will send out phishing emails pretending to be from a legitimate company, like an airline or a hotel. These emails will often contain links to fake websites, where you'll be asked to enter personal and financial information. Never click on links in emails from companies you don't know.

There are many unlicensed tour operators who will try to sell you fake or non-existent holidays. Always make sure you're using a licensed tour operator before booking anything.

Another scam to watch out for is fake holiday websites. These websites can look very convincing, and often offer amazing deals that seem too good to be true – which they usually are! If you’re booking a holiday online, make sure you do your research first and only book through a reputable website. Be wary of any websites that ask you for a bank transfer, rather than a payment.

Taxi's and public transport abroad can scam you too.

Criminals also sometimes pose as taxi drivers or other types of transport providers to try and get hold of your money. Before getting into any vehicle, make sure you know how much the journey should cost and agree on a price with the driver beforehand. Try not to use unlicensed taxis, as these are more likely to be involved in scams. It's a common practice to not just hand over your debit or credit card, as they can be used to copy bank account details like your bank account number, sort code and three digit security codes.

When you’re on holiday, be wary of strangers who approach you and offer to help with something or give you a ‘free’ gift. This is a common way for criminals to distract you so they can pick your pocket or bag. If someone does approach you, make sure you keep hold of your belongings and don’t let them out of your sight.

Another common scam is being charged for things you didn't agree to pay for, such as extra fees or taxes. To avoid this, always double-check the prices before you agree to anything.

One popular scam is booking fake accommodation or tickets. This can be avoided by reading the terms and conditions carefully and researching the organisation you're booking through.

By being aware of these scams and taking some simple precautions, you can help ensure that your holiday is enjoyable and stress-free. Safe travels!

I was scammed, what to do?

If you're a victim of a holiday scam, don't panic. Contact your bank or credit card provider as soon as possible, and they may be able to help you get your money back. Always use a number you know to be correct, such as the one listed on your statement, their website, or on the back of your credit or debit card.

You can also report the scam to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk , the UK's national fraud reporting centre.

Did this article help you? If so, please share it with your friends to help them avoid being scammed on their next holiday! And for more tips on staying safe while travelling, be sure to check out our other posts.