Online holiday scams on the rise

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By Luke Jovetic
Know Your Money Editor

As a number of Britons look for a holiday bargain online a warning has been issued reminding them to be vigilant to scams.

Shopping online can be a good way to compare prices and make your money go further than it might in a high street travel agent, however, there is a danger of a good deal proving to be an offer that is too good to be true.

A new report from GetSafeOnline and ABTA, The Travel Association revealed that a number of people using the internet to book a break are at risk of falling foul of fake websites posing as genuine firms.

The organisations stated that some consumers are failing to adhere to simple fraud prevention measures that could leave them in danger of losing money.

In the worst cases people could find themselves paying for a dream trip that does not exist.

Are you staying safe?

Get Safe Online, a government-backed campaign, is urging people to check the website they are using appears reputable and secure.

Some scam websites aim to attract holidaymakers by using images and other material copied from genuine travel companies, although they are usually shut down fairly quickly.

Research found that almost one in three - 30 per cent - of web users booking holidays online do not confirm the authenticity of travel providers.

More than one in four - 26 per cent - UK web users said the primary driver when choosing a holiday provider is the price.

In comparison, just four per cent stated their top concern when looking to go abroad is good service.

This can be done by checking they are a member of a recognised trade association before opting to hand over details.

Another measure that web users are advised to take is to check a website is secure - by looking for the padlock - when entering payment details to ensure the credit card information cannot be intercepted by fraudsters.

More than one in five - 22 per cent - people booking online neglect to do this, according to the research.

Expert advice

Security minister Dame Pauline Neville-Jones suggested that last-minute bookings at this year on the internet can be a great way of shopping around to find the best deal.

However, she stated: "In your rush to book a holiday you should make sure you are not falling victim to online crime by taking some basic steps to protect yourself.

"Get Safe Online provides trustworthy advice and information on online fraud and scams, as well as how to ensure you have the right kinds of protection on your computer."

The report found that basic fraud-prevention measures are not being carried out, but in addition to this a number of potential holidaymakers are unaware of the most common scams they could be faced with.

More than two-thirds of people admitted they had never heard of holiday rental scams, 68 per cent were unaware of bogus holiday sites and 81 per cent said they were unfamiliar with gap-year fraud.

In addition to this, more than one in five people surveyed - 22 per cent - said they have been sent information via unsolicited emails, phones calls or SMS text messages about holiday deals or villa rentals from unfamiliar individuals or organisations.

"Fraudsters recognise this and play on people's desires - we get caught up in the excitement of a bargain dream holiday and cautiousness goes out of the window," said Tony Neate, managing director of Get Safe Online.

He advised that when things do not add up, that is when people really need to do their research.

The report suggested Brits to do as much research as possible before booking, something the internet may be able to help with.

It asserted that if an offer is priced at a rate far lower than usual for the reported standard then it may be wise to exercise caution, by avoiding it all together or verifying the offer by taking a number of steps.

Check the authenticity of private rentals by speaking to the agent or owner via the telephone, if a number is not provided then email to ask for it.

Check for approval - this can be done by searching to see if others online have used the company or by contacting a group such as ABTA.

Another common scam is to inform people they have won a holiday but need to pay a small fee to secure it.

And with online mapping services and Google Street View it might be easier than ever to check if addresses are genuine

Important Notice
This guide is intended for general information only and is not intended as, and does not constitute, any form of advice, recommendation or endorsement by us of any particular product(s) or services and you should rely on your own further research and professional advice in relation to your specific requirements and circumstances before purchasing any products or services. Use of this guide is subject to the Terms of Use of the KnowYourMoney site.