Claims management firms have targeted one in five over sickness

One in five British adults have been approached by claims management firms about making a compensation claim for being sick while on holiday, the travel industry’s accreditation body has found.

New figures have revealed that almost 9.5 million people have been contacted about making a compensation claim for holiday sickness.

The most common way people said they were approached was over the phone, followed by text and email. Some people also reported being con- on social media and some were approached in person including in airports or while on holiday.

The new figures are released as part of Abta’s Stop Sickness Scams campaign which highlights that false claims are costing the travel industry tens of millions of pounds. Abta is calling for the urgent closure of a loophole in the law, which enables claims management companies and legal firms to make more money in fees from sickness claims abroad, than they’re able to from personal injuries in the UK.

Mark Tanzer, Abta’s chief executive, said: “Unscrupulous claims management companies are encouraging people to make a false sickness claim which could land them with a large fine or even a prison sentence.

“False claims don’t just make UK holidaymakers vulnerable to serious penalties – they also cost travel companies and hotel owners tens millions of pounds and tarnish the reputation of the British abroad.”

In October, a couple from Merseyside were found guilty of making a fraudulent sickness claim. Deborah Briton was jailed for nine months and her partner Paul Roberts for 15 months.