Safe Getaways

Following a year of travel bans, quarantine, uncertainty and missed holidays, many of us are desperate to get away for a break, whether it’s a holiday in the sun or a weekend by the sea in the UK. You may be taking the plunge and booking right now, or waiting cautiously until the travel situation becomes clearer

Or you may be booking travel and accommodation for that face-to-face meeting you’ve yearned for every time you go on a video call.

But cybercriminals are busy thinking about holidays and travel too … not taking them but exploiting your desperation for a break, with fake websites, advertisements, emails, social media posts, texts and phone calls for holidays, flights, accommodation or pilgrimages that don’t exist.

Avoid disappointment and financial losses: start by reading our expert tips on searching and booking holidays and travel safely and securely.

Top tips to ensure your holiday or travel booking is safe.

Do thorough research on accommodation, flights, cruises, package holidays or pilgrimages advertised via private advertisements, to check they’re authentic.
Check 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. If the number is not provided, email and request it.
Check reviews on TripAdvisor or similar sites.
Never pay for holidays or travel by bank transfer. If you do and it’s a fraud, you may never see your money again. 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 through are members of trade associations such as ABTA or ATOL, by checking on these bodies’ websites.
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).
Be wary of unusually cheap holidays or high deposits.
Check terms and conditions prior to making any payment.
Keep confirmations and payment receipts, and check statements for irregular entries.
Be wary of unsolicited approaches claiming to be from travel firms, insurance companies or claims specialists offering to arrange a refund for a holiday or travel cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these look very authentic, and play on your desire for a refund so that you can book another holiday.