Avoid Summer Scams
Holiday Fraud
In 2024 over £11m was lost by British travellers to fraud. The average loss per victim was £1,844.
Fraudsters create fake websites that look similar to legitimate booking platforms such as those operated by Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia. They might discounted rates for accommodation, flights or car rentals, just like the real firms. People could find themselves paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds for trips that simply don’t exist, stranded without anywhere to stay, and forced to make last-minute alternative arrangements at even greater expense only to realise they’ve handed over sensitive personal and payment details to organised cybercriminals. This could lead to not only to losing money on a fake booking, but potentially even bank accounts and identities can be compromised after the initial scam.
What can you do to protect yourself from holiday fraud?
- Check the travel company is legitimate. About to book a holiday? Do some research first to check that the company is legitimate, especially if you haven’t used them before. Use consumer websites, or reviews from people (or organisations) that you trust.
- Look for the logos. Look for the ABTA, ABTOT or ATOL logos on the company’s website. If you’re unsure, you can use the links below to verify membership:
- ABTA – https://www.abta.com
- ABTOT – https://www.abtot.com/abtot-members-directory/
- ATOL – https://www.atol.org
- Use a credit card to pay. Use a credit card for payments (if you have one). Many of these protect online purchases as part of the Consumer Credit Act.
- Only provide required details at checkout. When making your payment, only fill in the mandatory details (often marked with an asterisk) such as your address. Unless you think you’ll become a regular customer, don’t create an account for the store.
- Keep your accounts secure. Create a strong and unique password for your email. If 2-step verification is available, always enable it.
- Watch out for suspicious links. Whether it’s in an email or social media post, be wary of promotions for unbelievably good holiday offers. If you receive a suspicious email, report it by forwarding it to: report@phishing.gov.uk
TOP TIP: Remember if you are on holiday do not post on Social Media until you return as this could alert opportunist criminals that your home may be empty.
Smart Luggage
‘Smart luggage’ is promoted as a traveller’s best friend with GPS locators, digital locks and even motorised wheels. Make these purchases wisely as some fraudsters sell fake smart luggage at low prices. These counterfeit items may have issues such as the bags don’t charge, don’t track or may even contain hidden spyware that steals data when plugged into a device!
Scammers can also intercept Bluetooth or Wi-Fi signals from smart luggage, allowing them to follow and then intercept the luggage when it is unattended.
Buy smart luggage from reputable sellers with positive verifiable feedback.
Fake Days Out
There has been a sharp rise in the number of ‘days out’ which turn out to be entirely fake. This can be a costly and disappointing mistake, affecting many people. Pop up markets at palaces and cable cars in scenic locations are recent fake days out advertised. AI is often used to mock up pictures which make the fake locations look really authentic. These fake days out can be bought online and are often promoted by influencers who have failed to check if the promotion is real. Tickets are also sold for fake craft fairs and ‘secret venue’ film screenings when there is no real event. Always check the details thoroughly.
Festivals
Don’t get caught out this festival season and miss out on all the fun by buying a fake ticket!
Many fraudsters take advantage of the high demand for tickets, with fake tickets often costing many hundreds of pounds for ‘sold out’ events.
TOP TIPS:
- Stick to official sellers: Buy tickets directly from the event organiser, venue, or official artist sites as this way you’ll know it’s genuine and at the original price.
- Use fan-to-fan platforms and reselling sites carefully: If the event’s sold out, try using reputable fan-to-fan resale sites that cap prices at face value and offer refunds if tickets turn out to be fake
- Always pay by card – never cash or bank transfer: You should pay for tickets online with a credit or debit card. If you use a card and there’s a problem, for example the tickets are fake, your bank will usually help you get your money back.
- Watch out for red flags – if it’s too good to be true, then it probably is: Be wary of vague listings, last-minute deals, or low prices that seem too good to be true. Scammers will also often say things like “only one left!” or “need to sell urgently” to push you into a quick sale — especially on social media or messaging apps.
- Don’t fall for pressure tactics by private sellers: If you buy tickets from a private seller, you’ll have little protection if you don’t get what you expect – for example the tickets don’t arrive. It’s best to meet the seller face to face before you pay them – meet them in a public place and take someone with you.
Boarding Passes
Many travellers proudly post boarding passes or sunny airport selfies on social media, unaware that the barcode printed on those documents can be easily scanned by criminals. This seemingly harmless snap can give fraudsters all they need to hack into airline accounts, steal personal data or launch highly targeted phishing attacks that are far more convincing than generic spam. In the worst cases, people risk identity theft or future scams tailored precisely to their travel habits and personal information.
Fake Caravan and Motorhome Listings
A current popular scam involves fake caravan, holiday home or camper van listings on social media or other free ad websites. When users enquire about available dates and rental prices, the owner asks for a deposit to be paid quickly, and directly to them.
They are usually advertised at attractive prices, meaning that people believe they are getting a great deal, but when they come to take their trip, they then find the vehicle doesn’t exist and they can no longer get hold of the contact they were speaking to. Never part with money unless you physically see what you are paying for.
Car Parking QR Codes
Designed as a convenient tool for consumers, QR codes are often now be utilised by scammers leading unsuspecting users to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information or money. QR codes should be used with a degree of caution. As summer travel and outdoor activities increase, so do opportunities for scammers to use fake QR codes in popular tourist spots, so make sure you keep an eye out for anything that looks suspicious.
Report scam emails by forwarding them to report@phishing.gov.uk
Report suspicious websites to the National Cyber Security Centre.
If you lose any money to a scam, call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your bank card. Also report it to Report Fraud
Click here for Gloucestershire County Council’s Summer Scams leaflet.