FraudSMART: Be on high alert for travel scams this summer

Holidaymakers urged to be on high alert for travel scams as fraudsters ramp up activity over the summer months – FraudSMART

As the summer holiday season gets into full swing, FraudSMART, the fraud awareness initiative developed by Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), is warning consumers to be on high alert for a seasonal rise in scams linked to last-minute travel deals. Fraudsters are targeting holidaymakers with offers, particularly touting ‘recent cancellations’ or ‘limited time offers’ at discounted prices, through highly convincing fake websites, online adverts and social media links.

Niamh Davenport Head of Financial Crime at BPFI and lead for the FraudSMART campaign, said: 

"With the summer season upon us, fraudsters are ramping up activity to take advantage of holidaymakers looking for last-minute getaways and deals. 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. 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.”

Ms Davenport added: “However, 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. 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.”
 
“Importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help if something does go wrong. We would all like to believe that we’d spot a scam if we saw one, but the reality is that these scams can be very deceptive. If you think you have fallen victim to a travel scam, contact your bank immediately using the number on the back of your debit or credit card and report the incident to the Gardaí.”

FraudSMART top tips to safeguard against travel scams this summer:

• Book Smart: Always use trusted and well-known booking websites or travel agents.
• Verify before you buy: Before you book anything, check the link on Scamchecker.ie, an essential free tool to safeguard against scams.
• Be Wary of Unexpected Offers: Be cautious of unsolicited emails or social media ads offering cheap holiday deals. Always verify special offers by visiting the official website of the travel company directly, rather than clicking on embedded links on emails or ads.
• Avoid Bank Transfers: Avoid making payments through bank transfers, as these are difficult to trace and recover.
• Use Secure WiFi: Do not use unsecured or public Wi-Fi networks when making payments; switch to 3G/4G on your phone if necessary.
• Keep Records: Print or save a copy of your order and purchase details.
• Update Security: Ensure your computer’s security is up to date with reliable antivirus and browser software.
• Protect Your Card: Keep your card in your sights and protect your PIN – never share or write down your PIN details.

Anyone can be a target of this kind of scam and new types of scams and frauds are continually emerging that are increasingly more complex and convincing. Share this alert with your family and friends so that they too can stay safe