Ten simple steps to help safeguard your booking
1 CHECK how long a company has been in business and for any customer feedback online before booking.
2 RESEARCH the holiday organisation and check if it is a member of a recognised trade body such as ABTA (abta.com) or ATOL (caa.co.uk).
3 LOOK out for suspicious web addresses and emails. Scammers may alter a genuine address from .co.uk to .org.
4 TRACE a property using Google Earth and Street View to check it exists. Ask owners for proof of property ownership, such as a utility bill. Phone them – genuine owners should be prepared to provide their number. Pertinent questions to an owner should reveal who is genuine – and who is not.
6 TRY reverse image software to check if a property is as it seems. If it appears on other websites under another name, that should be a warning sign.
7 BE WARY of huge discounts for booking early and paying in full up front.
8 AVOID paying directly into an owner’s bank account. Use a credit card where possible that offers consumer protection. Use legitimate websites’ own secure payment systems instead. If the booking proves fraudulent, the payment should be safe.
9 SCRUTINISE paperwork. Avoid companies that do not provide invoices or receipts. When booking through a holiday club or timeshare ask a solicitor to check the contract first.
10 REPORT any fraud to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or phone 0300 123 2040.