How to protect yourself from holiday fraud

With holiday season just around the corner here is some advice on how to stay safe when booking a trip.
There are plenty of things out there to trip you up includingfake online advertisements, emails, social media posts, texts or phone calls.There are plenty of things out there to trip you up includingfake online advertisements, emails, social media posts, texts or phone calls.
There are plenty of things out there to trip you up includingfake online advertisements, emails, social media posts, texts or phone calls.

According to Get Safe Online thousands of people fall victim to holiday fraud – paying for non-existent accommodation, flights or entire holidays.

There are plenty of things out there to trip you up including fake online advertisements, emails, social media posts, texts or phone calls.

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A spokesman from the online advice service said: "In many cases, unsuspecting victims actually turn up at their accommodation, airport or cruise terminal, only to find that they’ve been defrauded.

"With holiday fraud, either the accommodation doesn’t exist, or it does exist but has been advertised by a fraudster with no connection to the apartment, villa, caravan or chalet. Alternatively, the flight, package holiday, cruise or pilgrimage you think you’ve booked and paid for is non-existent, even though you may have received some kind of confirmation.

"It’s heart-breaking, as you’ve lost your holiday and your money. And if you’ve paid by bank transfer, banks are not obliged to cover your loss."

Here is some ways you can protect yourself from holiday and travel fraud, according to Get Safe Online

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- Thoroughly research flights, accommodation, cruises or package holidays to check that they are authentic, especially if not advertised by mainstream tour operators.

- Check that accommodation really exists by finding on Google Maps and looking for third-party reviews and recommendations. If you can, call the owner/agent directly. If the number is not provided, email and request it.

- Check reviews on TripAdvisor or similar sites.

- Remember that paying by credit card means more chance of getting your money back if something goes wrong.

- If paying online, type in the website address you know to be correct (instead of following a link), ensure the payment page is secure (starts with ‘https’ and has a locked padlock in the browser window frame).

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- Never pay for accommodation or travel by bank transfer even if you’re desperate to get away, or you’ve left it until the last minute to book. Also note that the recent abolition of credit card payment surcharges may give fraudsters the excuse to tell you that they cannot accept payment in that way.

- Wherever possible, book holidays and travel through members of trade associations such as ABTA or ATOL, having confirmed membership on these bodies’ websites.

- Be wary of unusually cheap holidays or unusually high deposits.

- Always check terms and conditions prior to making any payment.

- Keep confirmations and payment receipts, and check your bank and payment card statements for irregular entries.

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