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Many people are trying to make up for the lack of sunshine and are taking more trips to make up for the gloomy days of lockdown during the pandemic. However, it is unfortunate that scammers are aware of our desire to travel and our financial limitations. There has been a significant increase in online scams, specifically targeting those who cannot afford to lose a large sum of money.
Buying transportation and/or lodging for travel requires trust, as you typically have to pay a significant amount in advance without receiving the product until you arrive and, hopefully, receive the desired flights and/or villa.
When purchasing a holiday from a travel agent in person, there is a high chance the transaction will go smoothly and be legitimate. However, if you choose to book online, you are at risk of falling victim to scammers. To prevent losing thousands of pounds and not receiving your holiday, watch out for these seven warning signs.
Are the prices excessively high?
Fraudsters often target unsuspecting individuals by offering extremely low-priced airline tickets. While some online agents claim to have the lowest fares, flight prices typically fall within a similar range. Checking Skyscanner.net can provide an estimated price range for a specific flight. If an agent is selling tickets significantly below the average, exercise caution, especially if they claim to have exclusive access to “secret fares”.
Do they require excessive demands?
Fraudsters do not only aim to take your funds, but also your personal information. A legitimate company will not request a copy of your passport or driver’s license unless there is a valid and verifiable reason (such as local regulations requiring identity verification for potential customers).
Is the physical location of the address and phone number separated?
A legitimate website should have readily available information for both their address and phone number. If the company claims to be located in west Cornwall (01736 area code) but has a phone number with a northern Scotland dialing code (01955), it is important to question this discrepancy. If the phone number is from a foreign country, it is advisable to exercise caution.
If a company claims to be a part of Abta, the travel organization, simply verify their membership status by calling the listed phone number on the Abta website to ensure you are working with the correct company.
Numerous fraudulent websites lack a phone number, yet may provide an address. Upon researching this address on the internet, you may discover the legitimate company that is located at the address claimed by the scammers. Attempt to locate a contact number for that company, call it, and observe the outcome. For instance, CycladesRentals.com, a scam site that has been shut down, falsely claimed to be situated at an address in west London, which in reality was the location of a Polish restaurant.
Is the promotional material suspicious?
Numerous fraudulent websites use content directly copied from legitimate travel companies. If you notice something suspicious, try copying and pasting it to see if it leads you to a real holiday company. In the situation of CycladesRentals.com, a phrase related to health appeared to be misplaced and upon further investigation, it was discovered that it had been plagiarized from a reputable operator that focuses on wellness vacations.
Are the amicable employees potentially posing as the authentic 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.
You may inquire by saying, for instance: “Prior to booking, could you provide me with additional information about the surrounding area? This includes the distance to the beach, the quality of the WiFi, and the strength of the mobile phone signal.”
If you are dissatisfied with the response, investigate further by requesting the name and open days of the nearest restaurant. Then, obtain the contact information for this establishment and verify with the owner.
Are they requesting payment through bank transfer?
Using a credit or debit card to make a payment usually offers some security in case the service is not received. However, sending a direct bank transfer is like giving away a large amount of your own money, making it difficult to recover if you fall victim to fraud.
Many legitimate villa owners may request payment through bank transfer in order to reduce handling fees and avoid dealing with complicated and costly credit or debit card systems.
Unfortunately, perpetrators are aware of this and will often fabricate a story to convince you to send money. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct thorough checks before confirming any transactions. Have a detailed conversation with the property owner and inquire about the property’s ownership, purchase date, any renovations, and the neighborhood’s background. A legitimate owner will typically have knowledgeable and enthusiastic answers. If any doubts arise, do not continue with the transaction.
Be particularly wary if the final bank account is located in an unlikely place. For example, if a villa in Spain is being used as a go-between by a British intermediary, being requested to deposit funds into a bank account in a different country should raise concerns.
Some scammers who have placed fictional accommodation availability on well-known platform may ask you to liaise direct and pay by bank transfer rather than going through the official payment platform. If anyone asks you to do this, you can be fairly sure you are dealing with a criminal.
Are they rushing you?
Scammers will often try to rush you into giving them your money. They may claim that the property will be given to someone else if you don’t act fast. They might also propose a 10 or 20 percent discount if you pay right away.
One should be able to detect signs of agitation in others. To assess their reaction, suggest communicating through mail. A malicious individual would not consider this option, but a sincere owner may be willing to compromise and accept a cash deposit through the mail.
Although this idea may seem outdated, it provides protection that is not available online. I personally contacted a lodging owner in Greece and sent the deposit in physical form through registered mail to a physical address in the village where the property was located. This method of transaction is safer than transferring money to a foreign bank account.
Source: independent.co.uk
