10 Tips to Help You Avoid Online Scams When Booking Your Holiday (2024)

The convenience of booking holidays online has become a standard practice for many travelers as the world becomes increasingly digital. According to TechReport, 80% of holiday bookings are now made online, making travel booking the 4th easiest online shopping experience.

The ease of comparing prices, reading reviews, and booking flights and accommodations from the comfort of one's home has driven this trend. However, this convenience also comes with risks, as online scams targeting holiday bookings are on the rise.

Did you know?

  • Australia. Scams mentioning the popular travel booking website Booking.com surged by more than 580% last year, with total losses reaching more than $337,000, according to The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
  • Japan. Over 100 hotels in Japan have fallen victim to email scams that try to steal customers' credit card information using the accommodation reservation site Booking.com, a Kyodo News tally found Saturday.
  • The UK. Over £15 million was lost to holiday booking scams between April 2022 and April 2023, marking a 41% increase from the previous year, according to Action Fraud.​.

Ten tips to avoid scams when booking your holiday online

As you plan your getaway, stay vigilant and protect yourself from online scams that could turn your dream vacation into a nightmare.

Here are ten tips to ensure your holiday booking is safe and secure.

1. Use only reputable booking websites

The first step in avoiding online scams is to book through well-known, reputable websites. Sites like Expedia, Booking.com, and Airbnb have robust security measures in place to protect your personal and financial information. Additionally, these platforms offer customer support and dispute resolution services, which can be invaluable if something goes wrong. Avoid booking through unfamiliar or unverified websites that may not have the same level of security or even buying your holiday from Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

Related: Facebook Marketplace scams you should avoid

2. Verify the legitimacy of the property

Before making any payments, ensure that the property you are booking is legitimate. Look for properties with multiple high-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and numerous reviews from previous guests. If the listing seems too good to be true, it probably is. Contact the property owner or manager directly to ask questions and verify details. Be wary of properties with limited information, those that request immediate payment outside the booking platform.

Related: How to Spot Scammers on Craigslist. What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

3. Read reviews and ratings

Reviews and ratings from previous travelers can provide valuable insights into the legitimacy and quality of a property. Pay attention to both the positive and negative feedback, and look for patterns that might indicate recurring issues. If a property has no reviews or only a few reviews, proceed with caution. Additionally, consider using platforms that verify guest reviews to ensure they are authentic.

Related: How to tell whether a Facebook ad is a scam. A closer look at the airport luggage sale fraud

4. Beware of phishing scams

Phishing scams are a common tactic cybercriminals use to steal your personal and financial information. These scams often involve fake emails or websites that mimic legitimate booking platforms. Always double-check the URL of the website you are using and avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails. Instead, go to the booking site directly through your browser. Look for the padlock icon in the address bar, indicating that the site is secure.

Related: How Hackers Hijack Hotel Accounts on Booking.com to Scam You

5. Use secure payment methods

When booking your holiday, use secure payment methods such as credit cards or reputable payment services like PayPal. These methods offer additional protections and the ability to dispute charges if something goes wrong. Avoid using wire transfers or direct bank transfers, as these payment methods are difficult to trace and recover if you fall victim to a scam.

Related: PayPal Text Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them

6. Beware of clicking online ads

When you start planning a trip online, you may suddenly see ads related to your search. However, some of these ads could be fake. Even the most convincing ones might lead you to a website that looks like a reputable booking site but is actually a scam. Always verify the legitimacy of any company being advertised. When conducting research online, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt data transmitted between your device and the router.

7. Use Scamio to check legitimacy

If you want to protect yourself from holiday booking scams, you can use Scamio. This tool is designed to verify the legitimacy of online listings and identify potential scams. You can enter the URL or details of a listing, and Scamio will provide information on its authenticity. You can also send texts, messages, links, QR codes, or images to Scamio for analysis to determine if they are part of a scam.

Scamio is free and available on Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and your web browser. You can also help others stay safe by sharing Scamio with them in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Romania, Australia, and the UK.

8. Be wary of last-minute deals

While last-minute deals can be tempting, they can also be a red flag for scams. Scammers often use the urgency of a limited-time offer to pressure you into making a quick decision. If you come across a last-minute deal that seems too good to be true, take the time to verify the legitimacy of the listing and the booking platform. Don't let the fear of missing out cloud your judgment.

9. Secure your personal information

Remember to safeguard your personal information when booking holidays online. Make sure to use strong, unique passwords for your booking accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. Be careful about sharing personal information like your address or phone number unless it's absolutely necessary for the booking process. If a website requests more information than seems reasonable, it may be a scam.

Is your personal information on the Internet at scammers’ discretion? Find out now with Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection.

10. Keep records of your booking

After completing your booking, keep detailed records of all communications, payment confirmations, and booking details. This documentation can be invaluable if you encounter any issues or need to dispute charges. Save copies of emails, take screenshots of booking confirmations, and make note of any reference numbers or contact information. Having a paper trail can help you resolve problems more efficiently.

FAQs

How can I find the best booking deals that are not scams?

To find the best deals, use comparison websites like Kayak, Skyscanner, and Google Flights. Set fare alerts, book during off-peak times, and be flexible with your travel dates. Checking multiple sources and booking early can also help you secure better prices.

Be prudent with offers too good to be true or ads you see on social media.

How can I tell if a booking website is legitimate?

Copy/ paste the website's URL into Scamio's chat box and await its verdict. Look for security features like the padlock icon in the address bar and ensure the URL starts with "https". Read reviews on independent sites and check for a physical address and contact information.

What should I do if I think I've been scammed when booking a holiday?

If you suspect you've been scammed, contact your bank or payment provider immediately to report the fraud and dispute any charges. Additionally, report the scam to the booking platform and local authorities.

Is it safe to book holidays on my smartphone?

Yes, as long as you use secure, reputable booking apps and ensure your phone's operating system and security software are up to date. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for booking and payments to protect your information or use a VPN to secure your connection.

Booking your holiday online can be a convenient and enjoyable experience. By following these tips, you can minimize the risk of falling victim to online fraud and ensure that your summer getaway is memorable for all the right reasons.

10 Tips to Help You Avoid Online Scams When Booking Your Holiday (2024)

FAQs

How can you avoid holiday scams? ›

Check each website's URL to make sure it's legitimate and secure. A site you're buying from should have https in the web address. If it doesn't, don't enter your information on that site. If you're purchasing from a company for the first time, do your research and check reviews.

How to avoid booking.com scams? ›

Emails from Booking.com should always come from an address ending in 'booking.com', regardless of the subdomain (as in example@sg.booking.com). An email address like 'support@booking-103266.com' is not from Booking.com and is most certainly malicious. Do not interact with such emails, and instead report them as spam.

How to avoid scams when shopping online? ›

7 Tips to Avoid Online Shopping Scams
  1. Use a credit card instead of a debit card. ...
  2. Check out as a guest. ...
  3. Watch out for Good Price Scams. ...
  4. Change your password for every account. ...
  5. Use automatic alerts to monitor your accounts. ...
  6. Research websites, even familiar ones. ...
  7. Use credit monitoring and fraud detection technology.

How to spot holiday scams? ›

Some scammers who have placed fictional accommodation availability on well-known platform may ask you to liaise direct and pay by bank transfer rather than going through the official payment platform. If anyone asks you to do this, you can be fairly sure you are dealing with a criminal.

How to safely book a holiday? ›

Safe booking
  1. Ensure that any holiday or travel company unfamiliar to you is reputable by researching them online. ...
  2. When possible, pay for holidays and travel using your credit card as this offers additional financial protection over other methods.

What is the golden rule of avoiding scams? ›

Be suspicious of all 'too good to be true' offers and deals. There are no guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes. Don't agree to offers or deals immediately. Insist on time to get independent or legal advice before making a decision.

How do I know if a booking site is legit? ›

Look closely at the URL to ensure you are on the hotel's official website or a booking agency you know and trust. Only make reservations through secure websites. You'll also want to ensure websites and their payment pages are secure, meaning they start with https:// and display a padlock symbol.

Is it safe to book accommodation through booking com? ›

At Booking.com, we strive to help everyone experience the world safely. We have many processes in place to protect our guests, and to empower you to take control of your safety while traveling. Visit our traveler resource page to learn more about making your future stays go smoothly.

Can you be conned on booking com? ›

Yes it is very possible, If you've fallen victim to a scam don't hesitate to contact Getrecoveryworld com to start reviewing your case as soon as possible and see what further actions he will take to mitigate your losses.

How do I outsmart an online scammer? ›

  1. Don't click on links in an unsolicited email or text message.
  2. Don't use the phone number a potential scammer provided in an email or text message. ...
  3. Don't give out personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, dates of birth, or Social Security numbers.
Feb 28, 2023

What are the basic steps to avoid getting scammed? ›

8 things you can do to avoid being scammed
  1. Be suspicious. ...
  2. Don't trust unexpected contact. ...
  3. Do your research. ...
  4. Resist demands to act quickly. ...
  5. Keep your computer virus protection up to date. ...
  6. Never open attachments or click on links in emails if words or images make you feel unsure about the sender.

How can you avoid online scams and phishing attempts? ›

If you get a message stating a certain website may contain malicious files, do not open the website. Never download files from suspicious emails or websites. Even search engines may show certain links which may lead users to a phishing webpage which offers low cost products.

How do holiday scams work? ›

Here are some of the most common ways that scammers target you during the holidays: Social media ads that lead you to fake online stores. Fraudsters use ads on social media to try to get you to go to fake stores that steal your money, credit card details, or personal information.

What are the red flags of a scammer? ›

Unsolicited offers: Don't respond to unsolicited cold calls, emails, junk mail, late-night commercials or infomercials, or social media posts that are either overly attractive or fear-inducing. These are all common tactics scammers use to entice you to engage.

How to spot get rich quick scams? ›

Here are some red flags to watch out for.
  1. Someone you don't know, who might claim to be a friend of a friend, contacts you on social media or in a public place.
  2. You receive a tempting offer to make a lot of money quickly and with no risk.
  3. You're asked to make transfers, withdrawals or other transactions with your account.

How can we prevent crime on holiday tips? ›

Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Park in well-lit areas, and be sure to lock the car, close your windows, and hide all gifts and shopping bags in the trunk. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Carry your purse close to your body and put your wallet in an inside pocket or front pants pocket.

What are 3 excuses a scammer uses? ›

Romance scammers will encourage secrecy and will influence you to only trust them. They may try to isolate you from your family and friends. There will always be an excuse why they can't meet in person or show themselves on camera. They say they live overseas or somewhere remote, or their technology isn't working.

How do you stay cyber safe over the holidays? ›

Secure Wi-Fi

If you have to use public Wi-Fi, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to create a secure connection. Avoid using free Wi-Fi to do any online banking or shopping, as this information may be exposed and misused.

Do scams increase during holidays? ›

The prime time for holiday shopping in the United States extends from November through December each year; and as people tend to purchase more gifts online, send cash or checks through the mail, and are more willing to donate financial gifts to other people and charitable organizations, these scams can proliferate.

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