Holiday scam warning

With the summer holiday season approaching, people are being warned not to fall for scams when booking a trip this year.

According to latest figures, holiday scams have risen by seven per cent over the last year with fake flight tickets being the most common item sold.

The Lloyds Bank research shows that the average amount lost to a holiday scam is £765 and the main place for fraudsters to take advantage of people is via Facebook (including Facebook Marketplace) – as many as 49% of scams start on this platform.

Holidaymakers are also being warned to be vigilant when it comes to legitimate booking sites, such as Airbnb and Booking.com. In this case, those using the apps to list fictional rentals might initially ask for a deposit through the site but will then go on to ask for further payments through bank transfer or PayPal.

Liz Ziegler, Fraud Prevention Director at Lloyds Bank, said, “Most of us spend January and February counting down the days until summer, excited for an eagerly awaited holiday. Fraudsters, on the other hand, don’t need a countdown, as they are always on the lookout for ways to take advantage of those looking for a good deal to get away.

“Whilst legitimate cheap flights and beautiful holiday homes are definitely out there, it’s important people take steps to ensure they are purchasing something that is real. For example, Facebook Marketplace is probably not the best place to find flights for your next holiday. And often, when things seem too good to be true, it’s because they are.

“Always take the time to think about purchases you make online, and when in doubt, always book through a trusted retailer. When it comes to booking stays, always use your card and don’t be fooled by hosts asking you to ignore the website’s rules and transfer money directly to them.”

To find out more about contracting please contact Lauren on 01206 591 000 or email lauren.monks@contractorumbrella.com.