People looking to snap up online holiday deals ahead of the summer are being warned to stay extra alert and do their research before booking their getaways, as new data reveals victims lost a total of over £11 million to holiday fraud last year.
Thinking about booking a holiday this year? Follow our top tips to avoid falling victim to holiday fraud
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- 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 un
If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040, or call Police Scotland on 101.