SICKIE FAKERS SEND HOL COSTS SOARING
Families facing sky-high prices
FAMILIES face paying sky-high prices for summer breaks next year because of bogus holiday sickness claims.
Hotels hit by compensation payouts are set to increase prices to cover the cost of their losses.
Travel watchdog Abta has warned the cost of holidays will rise long-term thanks to the fraudulent practice.
Balearic tourism minister Biel Barceló, inset below, said £42million had been paid out by hotels on the Spanish islands last year.
One hotel complex – Club Mac in Alcudia – was hit with claims totalling £4m last year.
Since 2013 there has been an increase of more than 500% in the number of holiday sickness compensation claims by Brit tourists. Travellers returning from breaks are being bombarded with cold calls and texts from legal firms looking to lodge the dodgy claims.
Some tell holidaymakers they will not be prosecuted if they are caught making false claims.
But penalties for those found to be lying include a fine, a criminal record and potential imprisonment either in the UK or their holiday destination.
Abta’s chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “Holidaymakers need to understand that making a fraudulent claim will have consequences.
“People tempted to fabricate holiday sickness to make a claim should be aware that this is a crime and that they risk ending up in jail either in the UK or abroad.”
A Government initiative plans to stop rogue companies encouraging Brits to make fake claims.
Last month it emerged the Ministry of Justice had issued six warnings and had six websites taken down.
City of London Police are also investigating a string of claims made by holidaymakers for evidence of fraud. THOUSANDS of Brit holidaymakers in the Caribbean face chaos as Hurricane Irma closes in. The monster storm is racing towards the region at 185mph. British Airways has started cancelling flights, while Virgin Atlantic also warned trips will be affected. Red alerts have been issued for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Leeward, St Martin, St Barthelemy, Saba, St Eustatius, Puerto Rico and both Virgin Islands. The hurricane has been upgraded to the highest Category 5, and is expected to bring storm surges, gales and torrential rain. Irma is forecast to reach Anguilla today, with other areas set to be hit within 24 hours.