Cardiff Council’s Trading Standards is warning people to take care when booking their holidays this year.
Fake holiday scams are more common than many people might realise, and holidaymakers often take unnecessary risks in their quest for a last minute bargain. This makes it easier than ever for the fraudsters to succeed.
Many of us ignore basic security measures when we book a break online. A lot of people also book via holiday websites without checking the authenticity of the travel provider, leaving themselves at risk of a holiday scam. Meanwhile, many don’t check the website is secure before entering their payment details opening them up to the danger of fraud.
Holiday scams to watch out for
Holiday scams come in various guises. For example, the perpetrators of bogus holiday scams often set up fake websites advertising bargain holidays or villa rentals which simply don’t exist. But by the time you realise you’ve been scammed, the fraudster will already have your deposit or payment in full which you’ll have virtually no chance of ever recovering.
You may also be targeted by an unsolicited phone call, email or text which promises dream holidays at rock bottom prices.
In another version of the scam, bogus holiday websites have been set up as a cover for extracting your bank or credit card details when you type in your account information into an unsecure payment page. This could enable the fraudster to plunder your bank account, causing you a real financial nightmare.
Other scams involve misrepresentation where the holiday you think you’re buying is vastly superior to the one you actually end up with, and you have paid well over the odds for what in reality is really very basic.
You should also beware of fake holiday competition scams. This is a relatively simple con trick which convinces you that you have won a luxury holiday in return for an “administration” fee which you must pay upfront before you can claim your prize.
Of course, there’s no lavish break for you, but your money has taken a trip straight into the hands of the scammer.
The European Healthcare Insurance Card (EHIC), which provides reduced cost medical treatment in Europe, is free via the NHS. However, many unscrupulous websites charge unnecessarily for this service and often appear as paid adverts at the top of search engines. These sites will charge an administrative fee to check applications which can be up to £15 per person.
People purchasing visas to travel outside Europe can also face unnecessary charges. When travelling to the USA for example, it is now essential to apply for an ETSA visa, which normally costs $14 from the US Department of Homeland Security. However, Trading Standards have found sites that offer the ETSA visa for $39 per application, which is an extra $100 for a family of four.
How can you protect yourself against fake holiday scams?
Follow these simple steps to avoid getting caught out and destroying your summer break:
Check the travel provider is a member of a recognised travel authority – You must check whether the travel company you want to book a holiday through is a member of a recognised travel authority such as ABTA. ABTA members must sign up to a strict code of conduct which governs the fair treatment of holidaymakers.
If the travel provider isn’t approved – which may well be the case particularly if you want to rent a holiday home or villa privately – you should do your homework thoroughly before you part with any cash.
First of all, search online forums or reviews from other holidaymakers to see whether they have suffered any bad experiences.
You should also make a point of speaking to the owner or their agent directly by phone before you book. If you can’t make contact alarm bells should start ringing. Ask for a contract to be sent to you which outlines the terms and conditions of the holiday, including the deposit to be paid in advance, and details of when the remaining payment must be made.
It’s also a good idea to check the address of the accommodation on Google Maps. At least that will prove whether the property advertised does actually exist (although it doesn’t confirm much more than that).
Check the website is secure before you pay – Before you enter your personal details and your current account or credit card details, look for the padlock symbol which indicates the site is secure. The URL for any payment page should begin with https:// – the ‘s’ stands for secure. If you’re paying an individual rather than a company – perhaps for a private holiday home rental – insist on using a secure payments service such as PayPal. Never send a cheque or transfer money directly into their bank account just in case.
Keep your receipts – Make sure you print off and keep any booking confirmation and receipts which prove you have booked a specific holiday and how much you have paid for it. Then check your bank statement or credit card bill to ensure you have been charged correctly. If more has been taken from your account than you expect notify your bank or credit card provider immediately.
Beware of unsolicited offers – a growing number of people say they’ve been sent holiday deals via unsolicited emails or texts from individuals or companies they have never heard of. You should be particularly suspicious of random offers like these. Sadly, a lot of them will not be genuine.
Watch out for dream holiday deals that don’t add up – holiday deals which offer luxury breaks at a fraction of the price should also be treated with caution. A general rule is that if prices look too good to be true, they probably are.’ If you can’t verify the offer is genuine, steer clear.
Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council, Councillor Judith Woodman, said: “Due to cold weather, financial worries and post-Christmas blues, many people are understandably looking ahead to holidays later in the year. We would like to urge people not to get caught out, to do their homework and to check the small print on these websites. If in any doubt, visit the official NHS website or Consumer Direct to find unbiased and accurate information.”
For advice on online scams, contact Consumer Direct by visiting http://www.direct.gov.uk/ or call 0808 156 6736 (English) or 0808 156 6771 (Welsh)
