London - While the internet has made it infinitely easier to sort out holidays ourselves instead of going to a travel agent, unfortunately it has also created rich pickings for criminals.
Online holiday booking fraud – put crudely, when someone is duped into paying for accommodation or travel, only to discover later what they have forked out for doesn’t exist – is a fast-growing problem.
According to a report published by the British police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, last year there were nearly 5 000 cases of holiday booking fraud.
Travellers were swindled out of a total of £11.5-million – that represents a five-fold increase on the previous year.
The average loss was almost £3 000 (about R63 000). Problem areas are flights – you buy a fake ticket or one that never materialises – and accommodation advertised on rental websites.
Daily Mail
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF?
For flights, if the fare offered is much cheaper than it is advertised elsewhere, beware. Check that the agent is accredited with reputable bodies.
And especially watch out if buying tickets to Nigeria, India or Pakistan, because flights to these countries have been particularly targeted by con-artists.
For accommodation advertised on online rental platforms, the best safeguard is to pay via the website’s own secure booking system. This is always possible on websites such as Airbnb (airbnb.com).
Other common sense precautions to check a rental is legitimate are to read online reviews, use Google Maps to verify a property’s location, and speak to the owner on the phone before booking.