Fraudsters take advantage of the relaxation of travel restrictions
Criminals are using increasingly sophisticated methods to outsmart their victimsAuthor: Adam SmithPublished 22 hours ago
Last updated 17 hours ago
Vacationers across Staffordshire and Cheshire are cautioned to be extra vigilant as cases of travel fraud in our area become more and more apparent.
Gary Murray is the Head of Crimestoppers for Staffordshire and Cheshire. He said:
“With the easing of travel restrictions in countries like Portugal, the public should be aware that scammers have the potential to trick people into disconnecting from their money or banking information. This year a lot of people are really looking forward to sunshine and sunshine get away – but there are some simple things to look out for. If it’s an incredibly cheap deal then remember the old adage, “If it’s too good to be true, it’s probably not real” . “
Last year, criminals targeted 56% of unsuspecting vacationers who booked plane tickets and 29% booked accommodations.
Gary said, “Never pay by wire transfer or give your bank details over the internet. It’s always safer to use a credit card. Again, book through trusted suppliers. So if you’re not sure which company you are. ” Find, try, and look at reviews online.
“Go to their website and check them out. If they are real websites, you should see a little padlock icon at the top of your browser. Again, don’t give your details to someone who offers their own accommodation online -Ad. It’s always safer to contact a supplier. “
A third of the reports said the victim had contact with the suspect after responding to an online advertisement or social media. Facebook was the number one platform for scams.
Gary added, “Whether it’s a vacation home, a free hotel deal, or a guest house in Blackpool. Always check it’s a good deal. If you’re suddenly in your email and have the chance to get one To win free vacation, pop up Suddenly the lucky winner – who is asked to provide some bank details – is not tempted to provide any information. Many people lose money this way to scammers. They do not want to be a victim.
“The scammers will try to make money wherever they can. They are targeting people across Staffordshire, Cheshire, so it is really important that you do a thorough check of the property and the company you are booking with before you book to make sure it’s a legitimate business. “
In many cases, these are victims who searched for airline tickets online and found a website that they believe is the real website of the company. In other cases, they claim that victims have searched legitimate flight comparison websites for flights.
In both cases, victims said they had been contacted by someone purportedly from the airline or flight comparison website to guide them through the booking process and take payment.
Pauline Smith is the head of Action Fraud. She said:
“We are all more eager than ever to go on vacation after the coronavirus pandemic and relax with family and friends. However, criminals will stop at nothing when it comes to scamming innocent people out of a well-deserved break and their hard-earned money.
“Criminals are increasingly using more sophisticated methods to outsmart their victims. It is therefore important that we all do our research when booking a vacation and making travel arrangements. Whether you are planning to go overseas or go on vacation this year, remember, if a business sounds too good to be true, it probably is. “
Tips to avoid falling victim to vacation fraud
- Play it safe online: Check that the web address is legitimate and has not been changed by minor changes to a domain name, e.g. B. by switching from .co.uk to .org.
- Do Your Research: Don’t just rely on a review, do a thorough online search to make sure the company is credible. If a company is cheating on people, there is a good chance that consumers will post details of their experiences and warnings about the company.
- Look for the logo: check if the company is an ABTA member. Look for the ABTA logo on the company’s website. If you have any doubts, you can check ABTA’s membership online on their website. To book a flight and want more information about ATOL protection or to check if a company is an ATOL owner, visit the CAA website.
- Pay securely: If possible, pay by credit card. You should avoid depositing directly into a private individual’s bank account.
- Review records: you should study receipts, invoices, and terms and conditions, and be wary of companies that don’t provide any. If you are booking through a holiday club or timeshare, have a lawyer carefully review the contract before signing up.
- Use your instincts: if a business sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
If you think you may have been a victim of travel fraudContact your bank immediately and report this to Crimestoppers by phone 0800 555 111 or report it online or by phone to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040.
