Brits are potentially losing millions every
year as a result of holiday booking fraud, a new report shows.
Airline bookings, group tours and
accommodation are among the most common scams, according to the research
carried out by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB).
Booking fraud occurs when travellers pay out
for elements of their holidays only to discover that they either do not exist
or the booking was never made. Fake websites, email scams and false advertising
are all among the tools they use to lure unwary holidaymakers.
Nearly 1,000 cases were reported last year
where Brits found themselves stranded abroad with nowhere to stay, lost out on
big tours and excursions, or even got to the airport to find their entire
holiday never existed - at a total cost of around £1.5 million.
The research was undertaken in partnership
with travel association ABTA, Get Safe Online and Action Fraud, who have
published guides on how travellers can protect themselves against holiday
fraud.
One of the key recommendations the
organisations make is to research service providers carefully before booking -
failure to do so puts tourists at significantly greater risk.
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