Sun, sea and scams - five tips to avoid holiday fraud this summer

Published May 2024

Updated May 2025

3 minute read

Sun, sea and scams - five tips to avoid holiday fraud this summer

Published May 2024

Updated May 2025

3 minute read

Are you already dreaming about sunny days and planning your next holiday? Booking the right accommodation, transport and excursions can be complicated, and criminals can ruin your trip by deceiving you with fake deals. According to recent data from Action Fraud, holidaymakers lost more than £11 million last year from fraudulent activites¹.

To help you stay alert and protect yourself against holiday fraud, we’ve put together a list of the red flags to look out for when organising your summer trip, helping you to have a more stress-free experience!

What is holiday fraud?

Criminals will often operate online, over the phone and sometimes even in person to advertise fake holidays and accommodation to unsuspecting individuals. They may appear genuine, disguising themselves as a legitimate travel agent or offering hotels on a comparison site.

However, once you’ve paid you may find out that the holiday, plane ticket or accommodation that you’ve booked doesn’t actually exist. The criminal in question is then likely to cut off contact after receiving payment.

Be cautious if the person or company that you’re dealing with tries to create a false sense of urgency, as this is a common tactic that criminals will use to trick you. Don’t let yourself be rushed or pressured into paying for a holiday you’re not sure about.

Is it too good to be true?

If you’re contacted out of the blue and offered a tempting travel package which seems simply too good to be true, it’s likely to be a scam. It’s important to take precautions to ensure that the travel agent is genuine, so first check whether they are registered with ABTA (the UK’s largest travel agent association) or ATOL (a financial protection scheme which safeguards consumers booking package holidays).

Once you’ve found a holiday, research the destination separately and read reviews on multiple websites to make sure you have the right place in mind. When you’re ready to proceed with booking, do this directly through safe websites and check the website address carefully – criminals can create fake sites which appear legitimate. It may also be worth calling your accommodation first to confirm that they’re aware a booking is taking place.

Spotting fake reviews online

It can be comforting to read positive feedback online, but it's also important to be cautious as not all reviews are reliable. To ensure authenticity, reviews should always open in a new browser window on a trustworthy website, like TrustPilot. Genuine reviews usually provide a balanced account of both the positive and negative aspects of a product or service, along with other relevant details. If you have any doubts, it's best to trust your gut instinct and proceed with caution.

Payment demands

If you’re asked to pay in cash, by bank transfer, Western Union, or Moneywise, you should again be cautious. Criminals prefer these payment methods as they’re difficult to trace and do not allow refunds. It’s always better to use payment options such as credit cards, PayPal, Google or Apple Pay, which are safer and more secure.

Unexpected costs

If you’re suddenly asked to pay any additional charges or fees which were not previously discussed or agreed, proceed carefully. You should question any last-minute add-ons or unexpected costs, and if you suspect fraud is taking place, report it to Action Fraud via the link here.

Final takeaways

Knowing these warning signs can help you to be aware of and steer clear of criminals when booking your summer holiday, and ensure your trip is a worry-free experience. As an additional level of protection, you should also have a suitable travel insurance policy in place, just in case something does go wrong. Fraud can take place when you least expect it. If you come across an offer that seems too good to be true, be on your guard.

Learn more about fraud and scams

1. Source - Don’t let fraudsters trip you up this summer: new alert issued as people look to snap up online holiday deals | Action Fraud

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