Holiday fraud costs the public a whopping £7million a year according to a new report.
The report by The City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) shows that fraudsters duped some 4,500 people in 2013 with the most common types relating to:
Holiday accommodation – according to the report almost a third (30%) of holiday fraud victims in 2013 were scammed by the fraudulent advertisement of holiday villas and apartments, with some arriving at their destination to discover they had nowhere to stay.
Airline tickets – where a customer believes they are booking a flight and receives a fake ticket or pays for a ticket that never turns up. This is the most second most common type of booking fraud, accounting for 21% of holiday booking fraud reported to the police in 2013. Average losses are more than £1000 per victim, with flights to West Africa a particular target.
Package holidays – particularly group, sports and religious packages. The report highlights the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and major sporting events such as the Ryder Cup as particular targets for fraudsters. These types of package holiday fraud accounted for 17% of reports in 2013. In 2014, packages for the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games in Scotland, and travel to the World Cup in Brazil, may prove a target.
As a result of the report, the NFIB, travel association Abta and Get Safe Online have joined forces to warn the general public about the dangers posed by holiday booking fraud. Tips include:
Do your research: Don’t just rely on one review, do a thorough online search to ensure the company’s credentials. If a company is defrauding people there is a good chance that consumers will post details of their experiences, and warnings about the company, online.
Look for the logo: Check whether the company is a member of a recognised trade body such as Abta. You can verify membership of Abta online, at www.abta.com
Stay safe online: Check the web address is legitimate and has not been altered by slight changes to a domain name – such as going from .co.uk to .org
Pay safe: Never pay directly into an owner’s bank account. Paying by direct bank transfer is like paying by cash – the money cannot be traced and is not refundable. Where possible, pay by credit card, (or a debit card that offers protection).
Check paperwork: You should study receipts, invoices and terms and conditions, and beware of any companies that don’t provide any at all.
Use your instincts: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Report it – victims should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via www.actionfraud.police.uk
Detective Superintendent O’Doherty, Director of NFIB, said: “The internet has changed the way we look for and book our holidays. Unfortunately it is also enabling fraudsters, using online offers of villas, hotels and flights that simply don’t exist or promising bookings that are never made, to prey upon those looking for that perfect break. We would urge those who have fallen foul of fraudsters to come forward by contacting Action Fraud to report their loss. By reporting it, victims are helping the NFIB to identify and effectively target those most responsible for this damaging and distressing crime.”
For a full list of tips to avoid becoming a victim of fraud please see: http://abta.com/fraud
