Holidaymakers have made the terrible discovery that they have booked a trip that doesn't exist upon getting to the airport - after fraudsters have made away with their cash.
This is according to watchdogs at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), who are now warning people to be wary of "too good to be true" holiday packages.
The CTSI says it has spotted "entirely fabricated" pictures of holiday cottages and hotels posted on social media at a bargain rate being used to scam people.
CTSI lead officer Katherine Hart said: "Lots of people are preparing to go away at the moment and, unfortunately, there are a lot of adverts on social media advertising cottages and hotels at home and abroad with incredible pictures and fantastic prices.
"These bogus adverts are designed to steal our money, leaving us disappointed and without a holiday.
"As with any purchase, do your research, only shop with reputable companies, and make sure you are 100% sure who you are dealing with and what you are getting before you part with any money."
How to protect yourself before booking a holiday
- check the URL and security of any website
- always look at independent reviews other than those on the website itself
- contact the owners of the holiday cottage before making a booking
- pay using a protected method such as a credit card
Often victims did not realise they had been scammed until they arrived at the airport to find their flight reservation did not exist, or at a hotel to discover there was no record of their booking, says the CTSI.
The watchdogs say they have also seen reports of scammers taking advantage of disruption caused by Passport Office worker strikes by offering bogus "fast-track" services. Texts and emails offering speedy renewals could see victims lose both money and personal data to fraudsters.
CTSI chief executive John Herriman added: "As always, scammers are quick to leap on any opportunity to take advantage of uncertainty and upheaval.
"The exploitation of delays brought about by Passport Office strikes are just the latest example of scammers preying on people’s vulnerability.
"People work hard and save all year round for their holidays – scammers know this, but they don’t care.
"We can all fight back, though, by being alert, by following a few simple guidelines, and spreading the word about the harm these scams can cause."
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