NIGEL THOMPSON MARJORIE YUE Don’t be a victim of holiday con artists
Holiday fraud hit the headlines this week with a report showing £6.7m was stolen from 4,700 travellers in 2017. According to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, the most common types of crime related to... Accommodation: People conned by fake websites, legitimate accounts being hacked and fake adverts on websites and social media. Airline tickets: A customer thought they had booked a flight and received a fake one, or paid for a ticket that never turned up. In 2017, flights to Africa and the Indian subcontinent were particularly targeted. Sports and religious trips: A popular target due to limited availability and higher prices. Caravans: ActionFraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, logged cases where victims were ripped off.
HOW TO AVOID FRAUD
Get Safe Online have teamed up to offer top tips on how to avoid being a holiday booking fraud victim. Stay safe online: Check the web address is legitimate and has not been altered by slight changes – such as going from .co.uk to .org Do your research: Don’t just rely on one review, do a thorough online search to check a company. If it’s defrauding people, consumers will post warnings on travel forums. Look for the logo: The Abta logo. Pay safe: Use a credit card and be wary about paying directly into an individual’s bank account. Check documentation: Study T&Cs and watch out for any companies that don’t provide any. Trust your instincts: You know the saying... if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Report it: Contact ActionFraud at actionfraud.police.uk. Get free advice: More info at getsafeonline.org & abta.com/fraud. ba.com pierreetvacances.co.uk Globe Journal, from £32.99, thefowndry.com
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