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Many people are trying to make up for the lack of sun and are taking more trips to make up for the time spent in lockdown during the pandemic. However, there are individuals who are taking advantage of our desire to travel and our financial constraints. The amount of online scams has significantly increased, specifically targeting those who cannot afford to lose a large sum of money.
Purchasing transportation or accommodation for travel requires trust, as it often involves paying a large amount of money in advance without receiving the product until arrival, with the hope of obtaining the desired flights or villa.
When you purchase a vacation from a travel agency, chances are it will be a legitimate and trouble-free transaction. However, when booking online, you are at risk of falling victim to scammers. Look out for these seven warning signs to prevent being swindled out of thousands of pounds and not receiving your holiday.
Are the prices excessively high?
Scammers often target unsuspecting individuals by offering extremely low-priced airline tickets. While some online agents claim to have the lowest prices, most flights have a similar price range. It’s recommended to use Skyscanner.net to get an estimate of the typical cost. If an agent is selling tickets significantly lower than average, be cautious – especially if they claim to have access to exclusive fares.
Are they making excessive requests?
Fraudsters have more than just monetary gain in mind; they also target your personal information. Legitimate businesses will not request a copy of your passport or driver’s license unless there is a valid and verifiable reason, such as a local law requiring identity verification for potential customers.
Is the address and phone number separated by distance?
A legitimate website should have clear contact information, including an address and phone number. If the company claims to be located in west Cornwall (area code 01736) but the phone number has a different area code from northern Scotland (01955), it is important to question this discrepancy. If the phone number is from a foreign country, it is wise to be cautious.
If a company claims to be a part of Abta, the travel association, utilize the simple verification process to confirm its membership – by calling the listed landline number on the Abta website to ensure that you are indeed dealing with the said company.
Several fraudulent websites lack a phone number, but may display an address. By researching this address on the internet, you may discover the legitimate company that operates from the same location the scammers claim to use. Find the contact number for that company, call it, and observe the outcome; for instance, one shut-down scam site, CycladesRentals.com, falsely stated their address as a west London location that was actually a Polish restaurant.
Is the marketing material questionable?
Numerous fraudulent websites use exact content copied from legitimate travel businesses. If something seems suspicious, try copying and pasting yourself – an unusual phrase may lead you to a trustworthy vacation company. In the case of CycladesRentals.com, a statement about health seemed out of context; it was discovered to be taken from a valid company that focuses on wellness trips.
Are the staff members acting as if they are the actual owners of the villa?
Some fraudsters intercept emails to and from genuine companies. To ensure you are not dealing with a criminal, diverge from email conversations. Demand a landline rather than a mobile, check that the dialling code is commensurate with the location, and phone up the owner.
One could inquire, such as: “Before I make a reservation, could you provide me with additional information about the location? This could include the distance to the beach, the quality of the WiFi, and the strength of the mobile phone signal.”
If you’re unsatisfied with the response, dig deeper by requesting the name and operating days of the nearest restaurant. Then, obtain the contact number for this establishment and reach out to the owner for verification.
Are they requesting payment through bank transfer?
Using a credit or debit card to pay for a service typically offers protection in case you do not receive what you paid for. On the other hand, making a bank transfer to someone’s account is like giving them a large sum of money, making it difficult to recover if you are a victim of fraud.
Many legitimate villa owners may request payment through bank transfer in order to save on handling fees and avoid dealing with complicated and costly credit or debit card payment systems.
Unfortunately, this is a fact that criminals are aware of. In an attempt to convince you to send them money, they will often fabricate a story to justify it. Therefore, it is crucial to verify the information before clicking “confirm”. Have a thorough conversation with the property owner, inquiring about the history of ownership, any renovations done, and the surrounding area. A legitimate owner will usually speak confidently and with enthusiasm. If you have any doubts, it is best not to continue.
Be extra cautious if the receiving bank account is located in an unlikely place. For instance, if a villa in Spain is involved and a British intermediary is requesting payment to a bank account in a different country, this could be a warning sign.
Be cautious of scammers who post fake accommodation listings on reputable platforms. They may request direct communication and payment through bank transfer instead of using the official payment platform. If you receive such a request, it is likely a criminal attempting to deceive you.
Are you being rushed?
Scammers always try to rush you into giving away your money. They may claim that the property will be given to someone else if you don’t act right away. They may also promise a 10 or 20 percent discount if you pay immediately.
One should be able to perceive any signs of agitation from them. A good method to gauge their reaction is to propose communication through mail. A malicious person would not consider such an option, but a sincere owner might be understanding and willing to receive the deposit in cash through the mail.
Although this idea may seem outdated, it provides protections that are not available online. I contacted a property owner in Greece by phone and sent the deposit through the mail (with registered mail, of course) to a physical address in the village where the property was located. This method is more secure than transferring money to a bank account in a faraway country.
Source: independent.co.uk
