What to do if you fall victim to a holiday booking scam
Your holiday should be a relaxing experience, but if you’ve been the victim of a holiday booking scam, then you’re likely stressed, anxious, and angry. It can be difficult to remain calm, however, so we’ve put together this short guide to help you work through some crucial steps if you believe you’ve been scammed.
Recognise the signs of a scam
If you suspect you’ve been the victim of a holiday booking scam, your first step should be to look for any common indicators. This can help you figure out whether the process was genuine or fraudulent. Some key indicators include:
- Unsolicited messages
- Offers that are too good to be true
- Payment requests via bank transfer
- Communication outside official platforms and channels
- Spelling errors in the website URL
While the presence of these issues doesn’t guarantee you’ve been scammed, they are a red flag, and you should proceed carefully. Avoid sending or paying any money, especially if it’s through a bank transfer. It’s much better to err on the side of caution and double-check the validity with a bank or other reputable source.
Take immediate action
If you have found evidence that suggests you’ve been scammed, or even if the transaction doesn’t “feel right”, you need to act swiftly. Contact your bank immediately to report the fraud and secure your accounts. You should also call 159, as this free service provides fast, trustworthy access to your bank’s fraud prevention team.
Fast action can often lead to the swift recovery of funds, while delaying gives the scammers more time to hide the money and prevent you from reclaiming it. Depending on your bank’s terms and conditions, they may reimburse you, however, this is not guaranteed.
Seek support and legal advice
After reporting the scam, it’s time to seek support in recovering your lost funds and protecting your rights. One key step is to contact Citizens Advice, as their team can give you guidance on your consumer rights and potential compensation.
In some cases, such as those involving significant financial loss, you may need to call local solicitors who specialise in fraud recovery. Their expert knowledge can be key for exploring the various legal avenues to reclaim your money.
Report the scam to the relevant authorities
You should always report the scam, as this helps authorities like the police track fraudulent activities and prevent others from falling victim. If you’ve received a suspicious email, this can be forwarded to the National Cyber Security Centre at report@phishing.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can forward text messages to 7726.
Finally, if the scam originated as part of a booking platform, you should notify their customer service team. It’s important to try and stay as calm as possible throughout the process, as this can increase the chances of successfully reclaiming your stolen funds.