The New Year season, with its surge in holiday bookings, is also a peak period for scammers who seek to exploit those less savvy. In 2024, as digital technology became even more integrated into daily life, new and evolving scams posed significant threats to consumers and financial institutions alike.

Understanding these scams and employing strategies to guard against them is vital for consumers to prevent the heart-stopping moment when they find they have been robbed.

In 2024, scammers improved their tactics, using advanced technology to craft convincing emails and text messages. Smishing, or phishing via SMS, is particularly popular as more consumers rely on their smartphones for online shopping and financial transactions. Scammers are now adept at creating cloned websites of reputable travel agencies and online booking platforms to defraud travellers. So don’t be fooled by quality, reputable-looking websites, social media sites and emails.

How to Protect Yourself

• Don’t reply to unsolicited emails, texts, social media or calls with holiday offers. Links and attachments in emails may lead to malicious websites or downloaded viruses.
• Book a holiday directly with an airline or hotel, or through a reputable agent. Check whether they’re a member of the Association of British Travel Agents.
• If you decide to deal directly with the property owner or a letting agent, ask them questions about the booking, room, location and area. Don’t book on websites that don’t have a padlock icon (https) in the address bar, and be extra cautious if you’re asked to pay using bank transfer or cash; only pay by credit or debit card if you can.

Spot the signs

• You’re contacted out of the blue by a travel agent or company you’ve never spoken to before, offering a holiday at a very low price.
• The details, pictures or address of the property or hotel on offer look suspicious, or independent website reviews aren’t favourable or don’t exist.
• You’re asked to pay using bank transfer or cash; pay by credit or debit card if you can for extra protection.
• You are told to book straight away or the deal will have gone.

We all look for those special deals, but if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is!