Criminals are ramping up their efforts to trick holidaymakers out of their money this summer, with fake deals, cancellations and convincing clones of popular booking websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com.
More than £15m was lost to holiday booking scams between April 2022 and April 2023, according to Action Fraud, a massive 41% increase compared to the previous year. Summer is the most popular time for scammers to strike, as families look around to get the best deal for a holiday.
Martin Lewis has warned that fraudsters are now using increasingly sophisticated techniques to con people, with dodgy websites set up to perfectly match legitimate and well-known booking portals lying in wait to con you out of your holiday money. Money Saving Expert has highlighted four red flags to look out for and how you can protect yourself from holiday heartbreak this year:
Read more: Five tips for families to sit together on holiday flights without paying extra
1. Fake accommodation deals
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is and accommodation scams are among the most common types of holiday fraud, according to travel industry body ABTA. Criminals set up convincing fake websites, hack into legitimate accounts and post scam ads on social media, all in an attempt to steal your cash. In the worst cases, you may turn up only to find the accommodation you booked isn't available or didn't even exist in the first place.
Three real examples of this type of scam are:
- You come across a post offering a perfect villa to rent on social media – and even better, due to a recent cancellation, it's 25% off. All you need to do to secure it is pay a deposit using a reputable money transfer service.
- You've found a listing for a lovely cottage on a popular holiday booking website. It's just what you are looking for – and it's much cheaper than other properties in the area. The host asks if you wouldn't mind paying them directly by bank transfer as it's cheaper for them that way – and they'll even give you a discount for doing so.
- You're trying to find a glamping break online but everywhere is fully booked. Then you come across an advert on social media showing last-minute availability. You click through and everything looks as expected, so you go ahead and book. You're reassured when a confirmation email pops into your inbox minutes later.
How to protect yourself:
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Pay on plastic: If you're asked to make a bank transfer or use a transfer service, such as MoneyGram or Western Union, this is likely to be a scam – and you've got very little protection if something goes wrong. Paying on a debit or credit card gives you chargeback or Section 75 protection.
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Check for feedback: If the company is unfamiliar, search online for reviews and feedback. Don't just rely on the firm's website.
- Check the company's contact details: Is there an address and a working phone number? Can you get through to customer services? Is there an online chat? A lack of working contact details could indicate a scam.
2. Clone holiday booking websites
Fraudsters can duplicate legitimate websites – sometimes down to the smallest detail. They can then use these to steal your money or harvest your personal information or payment details. Cyber security firm Trend Micro has recently issued alerts for very convincing links on social media to fake booking sites such as Airbnb or Booking.com.
These clone websites are set up by criminals and have nothing to do with the legitimate Airbnb and Booking.com. Once you've given your card details to buy the holiday, the fraudsters will get their hands on your money and your personal details.
How to protect yourself:
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Check the website address: For example the official Airbnb website is www.airbnb.co.uk and the official Booking.com site is www.booking.com – but the fake Airbnb website identified by Trend Micro was at [Airbnb[.]ld83528[.]ru], while the Booking.com fake was at [SecurePropertyCheck[.]com]
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Don't click links in emails or texts: If in doubt, go directly to the website by typing in the website address yourself.
3. Bogus cancellation refunds
Having a flight or hotel booking cancelled is stressful enough – and scammers can often jump on these moments as an opportunity to defraud you. There are a number of ways this can happen, as highlighted by banking trade body UK Finance's Take Five To Stop Fraud campaign:
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Fraudulent emails that look like they're from the travel company. The emails may invite you to claim a refund but link to a fake website used to steal your personal and financial information.
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Spoofed calls from 'refund agents'. The caller may claim to be able to offer an instant refund if you give them your bank details. You may even be asked to make an upfront payment as an administration or handling fee.
- Fake customer service accounts on social media. Criminals can create fake social media accounts imitating those of real firms or organisations, claiming to be able to help with refunds or claims.
How to protect yourself:
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Don't let yourself be rushed or pressured: Scammers may try to create a sense of urgency in their attempts to trick you.
- Make sure you're dealing with the real firm before sharing any info: If unsure, stop and go directly to the firm's official website by typing in the website address yourself. You can then find its social media profiles and contact numbers.
4. Sham giveaways
If you get an email, text, or WhatsApp message out of the blue offering an unmissable deal or giveaway be very careful – it could be a scam. The exact form of this type of scam can vary a lot, as scammers will tailor their messaging around specific brands, holidays or events. British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair and others have all been targets in the past.
How to protect yourself:
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Be wary of any unsolicited contact: Even if it looks authentic and uses the right branding, it's likely to be a scam.
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Look at links and website addresses: Has the link has been shortened to conceal the true destination? This is a a tell tale sign of a scam.
- Check the brand's official website: Is there any mention of the deal or discount? If not, it's likely to be a scam.
Have you ever been taken in by a holiday scam? Join in the conversation below
What to do if you think you've been scammed
If you think you've been taken in by fraudsters:
- End all communication immediately.
- Call your bank directly and cancel any recurring payments
- Report the scam to the police through Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or report a scam anonymously on the Action Fraud website.
- You can also contact the Citizens Advice helpline on 0808 223 1133 or via its website for more help.
