As the summer months come closer, people worldwide are eagerly planning their vacations. With the excitement comes an increase in holiday-related scams that can quickly ruin the fun. According to Action Fraud, between 2021-2022, holiday scams increased by 120%, causing victims to lose collectively over £7.4 million to criminals. These numbers highlight the growing threat that holiday scams pose to consumers.
To avoid being a victim of airline and holiday scams, it’s crucial to understand what they are and the types of scams to watch out for. Criminals engaging in these scams aim for financial gain, which they achieve by stealing victims’ money or collecting their personal information for identity theft or sale on the dark web.
One common scam targets travellers seeking great deals through fake websites, deceptive advertisements, and phishing attacks. Fake travel agencies often promote last-minute deals at knockdown rates via social media, email or phone calls, tricking consumers into providing personal information and banking details. It is essential to note that all legitimate package trips booked in the UK should be ATOL protected. If there’s no mention of this, it could be a sign that it’s a scam.
Another popular scam is the creation of fraudulent websites closely resembling legitimate airline or travel agency sites, offering substantial ticket discounts. Once a victim is enticed into buying the deal, scammers steal sensitive information such as payment details, personal data, phone numbers, and addresses, and use it for further fraud or to sell it on.
Unexpected extra costs are also a red flag for holiday scams, with scammers often claiming that ticket prices have increased or other fees are required. Fraudulent social media giveaways that promise free or discounted vacations often trap users, who end up paying numerous fees, realizing the offer was neither free nor legitimate, and that their personal information was stolen by criminals. Bogus flight cancellation emails are another prevalent scam that preys on victims’ fears of missing flights, claiming that a recently booked flight has been canceled and needs to be rebooked for a fee. In reality, the flight is not canceled, and the “fee” goes straight into the scammer’s pocket.
Last-minute deals are typically too good to be true, and fraudsters often exploit stolen financial information to purchase airline tickets, which they then sell at significant discounts through fake travel agencies, Facebook marketplaces, or fraudulent airline websites. These scams typically involve requests for payment in cash, bank transfers, or cryptocurrencies, all of which are difficult or impossible to reverse. Even if the tickets are voided, the scammer keeps the victim’s money.
To protect oneself from holiday scams, SnapDragon Monitoring offers some advice. Using legitimate websites, booking with caution, and keeping one’s guard up can help prevent falling prey to scammers. It’s also crucial to remember that if an offer is too good to be true, it probably is. By being vigilant, one can enjoy a well-earned break safely and in peace.