Consumers are being warned to be on high alert for a seasonal rise in scams linked to last-minute travel and holiday deals.
FraudSMART, the fraud awareness initiative developed by Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), said that fraudsters are targeting holidaymakers with offers.
They are particularly touting “recent cancellations” or “limited time offers” at discounted prices, through highly convincing fake websites, online adverts and social media links.
FraudSMART urges consumers to always use trusted and well-known booking websites or travel agents and advise that before people book anything, they should check the link on Scamchecker.ie, an essential free tool to safeguard against scams.
It also says that people should be cautious of unsolicited emails or social media ads offering cheap holiday deals and consumers should always verify special offers by visiting the official website of the travel company directly, rather than clicking on embedded links on emails or ads.
They are also urged to avoid making payments through bank transfers, as these are difficult to trace and recover as well as never using unsecured or public Wi-Fi networks when making payments.
Holidaymakers are also encouraged to print or save a copy of your order and purchase details, while they should also ensure their computer’s security is up to date with reliable antivirus and browser software.
Niamh Davenport, Head of Financial Crime at BPFI and lead for the FraudSMART campaign, said that travel scams can be incredibly convincing and often appear on fake and copycat websites featuring logos and layouts that closely mimic well-known brands.
“The scams are targeted at consumers through online adverts and social media posts, often imitating legitimate travel companies or well-known booking platforms. However, once payment is made – often by bank transfer – the website or link disappears, leaving victims without a booking and out of pocket,” she explains.
“Some victims may even receive a fake booking confirmation and only discover the scam after they have travelled to the destination and find the accommodation doesn’t exist when they arrive,” she added.
But she said there are red flags that consumers can look out for, such as being asked to pay by bank transfer or being pressurised to act quickly.
“It’s important to take a moment and double check that the offer is authentic by visiting the official website of the travel company directly rather than clicking on a link in an email or advert,” she said.
“Our Scamchecker.ie tool also provides consumers with a free and simple way to verify the legitimacy of a website or link before making a booking. If you pause before you pay, it can make the difference between the holiday of a lifetime or a holiday disaster,” she added.
She also said that if a person thinks they have fallen victim to a travel scam, they should contact their bank immediately using the number on the back of their debit or credit card and report the incident to the Gardaí.
