A new warning has been issued over the soaring number of holiday scams as demand for travel soars. Action Fraud received 4,244 reports of holiday and travel-related fraud in 2021/22 – a “substantial” increase of more than 120 per cent when compared to the previous financial year.
Victims reported being conned out of a total of almost £7.4 million – an average loss of £1,868 per victim. Action Fraud has launched a national awareness campaign to urge the public to think twice before handing over money and personal information when booking holidays.
Pauline Smith, head of Action Fraud, said: “As the world begins to open up and travel restrictions relax further, it’s no surprise that more people are eager to get away and kick back with their loved ones after two years of lockdowns and restrictions. Unfortunately, we know that as demand for holidays soar, so does the number of scams and criminals are always finding new ways to catch people out and make them part with their hard earned cash.
