Looking to save money on a holiday or break? Don’t fall for a fraud.

Whatever kind of holiday or short break you’re thinking about, chances are you’ll be searching for – and maybe booking it – online. But with the steep rise in the cost of living, you may be reconsidering what kind of holiday you’ll be booking, and how you can save some money along the way.

Whether you’re looking for an all-inclusive holiday in the sun, a winter break on the slopes, a cruise, flights or a staycation in an apartment, caravan or chalet, getting a great deal may be more important than usual. It also means that you could be a target for a fraudster taking advantage of the fact that you really want to get away, but you also want to watch the pennies.

Fraudsters use fake websites, listings, emails, advertisements, social media posts, texts and phone calls to trick you into buying and paying for what you think is a genuine holiday. Whereas what you might actually get is a disappointed family and no chance of getting your money back.

To help avoid this happening to you, we’ve put together some expert tips on safely searching and booking holidays and travel with confidence.

Don’t fall for a fraud

Always do your research into accommodation, flights, cruises, package holidays or pilgrimages to check they’re authentic.
- This should include whether it’s a package holiday, where two or more travel services (e.g. flight, accommodation and car hire) are combined. Legitimate package holidays should ensure your money is protected and that the online travel agent or tour operator takes responsibility for all their suppliers.
- When booking a flight-inclusive package, ensure that the holiday is protected by an ATOL, which ensures your money is safe.

Be wary of unusually cheap holidays/flights or high deposits.

Confirm that accommodation really exists by finding it on Google Maps and looking for independent reviews and recommendations. If you can, call and speak to the owner/agent directly to try to ascertain if the person you’re booking the holiday with is authorised to sell it to you. If the number is not provided, email and request it. Ask questions to see if they have knowledge of the area.

Check reviews on TripAdvisor or similar sites.

If you’re booking accommodation via Airbnb, always keep communications and payment on the Airbnb platform, and don’t be tempted off it as this may indicate an attempt at fraud. Read Airbnb’s safety advice for guests.

Never pay for holidays or travel by bank transfer to a company or person you haven’t had personal experience of buying from previously. If you do and it’s a fraud, you may never get your money back. Paying by credit card means more chance of getting your money back if something goes wrong.

Make sure travel agents and tour operators you book holidays and travel through are members of trade associations such as ABTA or ATOL, by checking on these bodies’ websites.

To check if a website you plan to book a holiday on is likely to be legitimate or fraudulent, enter its address at www.getsafeonline.org/checkawebsite.

Check terms and conditions prior to making any payment.

Before paying online or providing any confidential details, type in the website address you know to be correct (instead of following a link) and ensure the payment page is secure (begins with ‘https’ and has a locked padlock in the browser window frame).

Keep confirmations and payment receipts, and check bank / credit card statements for irregular entries.

If you’ve lost money to fraud, always report it immediately to your bank, as this will increase your chance of getting your money back and the fraudster being traced. Also report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre, on 0300 123 20 40 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk. In Scotland, report fraud to Police Scotland by calling 101.

For full information on booking and paying for holidays and travel online with safety and confidence, visit www.getsafeonline.org, select ‘Protecting Yourself’ then ‘Holiday & Travel Booking’

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