Holiday scams

With holiday scams on the rise, we see millions of pounds lost to fraudsters. Don’t get scorched by fake offers.

 

Are you looking for a break?

Watch out for fake deals that promise large savings. In 2023, Action Fraud reported that people lost over £12 million to holiday fraud.¹ Lloyds Bank customers, who fell victim to holiday scams, suffered an average loss of £836.²

Common holiday scams

Fake accommodation

If you find a beautiful holiday home for a bargain price, check before you book. Especially if you feel rushed and someone is asking you to pay by bank transfer.

Look for companies that are ABTA or ATOL protected or pay using a method that offers you buyer protection, such as a credit card.

When booking stays through companies like Airbnb or Booking.com, only pay through their systems. Avoid transferring money directly to the host. If you receive an email following your booking about payments not being received, check with the host through the site before doing anything.

Cancelled holidays

Fraudsters know it’s stressful when flights or accommodation get cancelled. There’s been an increase in criminals using cancellations as opportunities to trick people into giving them details.

If you receive an email or phone call, offering refund support, from someone saying they’re a ‘refund agent’, it could be a criminal.

Always go to the official website or contact the company directly before providing any details.

Fake travel tickets

If you see unusually cheap offers for flights, be careful. Fraudsters can post fake adverts for flight tickets that don’t exist.

They may say there is a fee to change the name, but once you’ve transferred the money you won’t hear from them again.

Make sure you book flights through travel companies that are ABTA or ATOL protected. If you receive an email following your booking about payments not being received, call the provider before you send any further payments.

Fake brand giveaways

Beware of fake giveaways on social media. Fraudsters may pose as a brand, post content for you to share and then contact you saying you've won. They'll ask you for your personal information and card details, which could give them access to your accounts and money.

Check the official website before entering any competitions - if the deal isn't there it’s likely a scam.

Don’t get scammed

If you’re booking a holiday, remember:

  • Check the travel company is ABTA or ATOL protected.
  • Be suspicious of posts on social media advertising deals.
  • Does it seem too good to be true? There’s a good chance it is.

Spotting a fake website

Does the website look fake?

Fake websites are made to trick customers into thinking they’re booking with a trusted brand. 

Check the web address and page. Look for spelling mistakes, low-quality images and a different design to the site you usually use. If something looks wrong, it might be a scam.

If you’re not sure, use a website checker, like the one on Get Safe Online.

What are the reviews?

If you come across a website offering holidays at super low prices, it might not be real.

Look for reviews on websites such as Trustpilot or TripAdvisor before you book.

Purchase tickets and hotel stays from trusted retailers or direct from the airline or hotel. 

Learn about other scams and how to protect yourself

Learn about the latest scams

Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to try to steal your details and money. Discover which scams are common right now.

Go to latest scams

Have you been targeted by fraudsters

Contact us right away if you think you’ve been scammed. We can then guide you on what to do next.

Contact us now
  1. Information sourced from an article by Action Fraud, published in February 2024.
  2. Figures based on internal analysis of relevant purchase scams (holiday tickets) reported by Lloyds Bank customers from January - December 2023

Stay scam safe

Learn how to spot and avoid scams, and how to report fraud.

Protect yourself from fraud

Stay scam safe

Learn how to spot and avoid scams, and how to report fraud.

Protect yourself from fraud