| The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) have issued an alert to warn members of the public about the risk of holiday fraud and ticketing scams following the announcement of the government’s planned road map out of lockdown. |
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| Any significant demands for holidays are likely to be exploited by scammers leading to an increase in holiday fraud. |
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| Here are some top tips around holiday scams from ‘Which?’: |
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| Incredibly cheap online deal – If the price for your flight or holiday is considerably cheaper than the average cost elsewhere, you should be suspicious. |
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| Look out for logos – Looking out for official logos is a good way to check the authenticity of holiday booking, travel agent and tour operators. Seeing the ATOL logo in your travel company’s brochures, adverts and websites should mean your holiday will be protected. |
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| Watch out for fake listings – Check out if a property exists by using Google Street View to see the property and the area. You can also use Google Images Reverse Search to see if the interior photos have been used elsewhere on the internet for other property listings. |
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| Bank transfer – If a bank transfer is your only option for payment, this should set alarm bells ringing. You should be especially cautious if you’re asked to pay directly into a private individual’s bank account. Not only does this show no bank is prepared to provide credit card facilities, but – if you’re dealing with a scammer – it will be almost impossible to get your money back.Check online reviews – Do a thorough search to check the company’s credentials. Check multiple reviews for information on other people’s experiences and take note of any warnings about the company. |