Lloyds Bank has issued a warning to people hoping to book a holiday to be on the look out for scams including fake tickets.

Data from the major high street bank revealed, on average, victims of holiday scams lose £765. 

Tickets for flights are the most common fake item sold by holiday scammers, Lloyds revealed. 

While booking websites and social media are among the areas scammers are using to try and trick unsuspecting victims, especially since people are turning to the later more due to rising flight costs since the Covid-19 pandemic.

How holiday scams work

Lloyds said scammers will create fake ads for cheap flight deals or lure unsuspecting victims by pretending to sell airline tickets they can no longer use themselves.

They will offer a low price and ask for a fee to change the name on the ticket.

Once the money has been sent, the scammer will disappear, leaving the victim out of pocket and without a ticket.

The offer of caravans for sale is the next most commonly reported holiday scam, the high street bank revealed.

Other types of holiday scams include fraudsters listing fictional holiday rentals with fake photos or photos stolen from other listings.

In some cases, victims may turn up with their suitcases, only to discover the address is fake or the “holiday rental” is actually a home belonging to someone else, Lloyds said.

Fraud prevention director at Lloyds Bank, Liz Ziegler, said: “Always take the time to think about purchases you make online, and when in doubt, always book through a trusted retailer.

“When it comes to booking stays, always use your card and don’t be fooled by hosts asking you to ignore the website’s rules and transfer money directly to them.”

Best and worst airlines in the UK

Airbnb, which has teamed up with online safety experts Get Safe Online to help protect people, said it has safeguards in place to help protect stays booked on its website, including secure payment processes.

The website said it also encourages consumers to report suspect websites or phishing emails to Airbnb for investigation and it works with third parties to report them for further action.

General manager for the UK and Northern Europe Airbnb, Amanda Cupples, said: “As people take advantage of the upcoming bank holidays, travellers should remain vigilant when browsing for their trips online and book directly with trusted providers.

“We encourage all of our guests to book, communicate and pay for their stay on the Airbnb platform, where we have secure processes and support measures like AirCover in place to help keep our community safe.”

Experts at Lloyds Bank reveal tips on how to avoid holiday scams

There are six things to do, according to the experts at Lloyds Bank, to help you stay safe from holiday scams:

1. Purchase tickets and hotel stays from trusted retailers or directly from the airline or hotel. When booking stays, look for valid reviews on websites such as Tripadvisor.

2. Paying by card can give added protections if something goes wrong.

3. Pay through booking websites’ own systems. If you are booking a hotel through a third party and receive what appears to be a message from the hotel asking for more money, after the original booking has been confirmed, do not pay this without contacting the website or the hotel directly using the contact details on their websites.

4. Be cautious on social media. If you are looking to buy a caravan or motorhome, always see the item in person before handing over any form of deposit.

5. If a seller is trying to rush you, or bombarding you with messages, take a step back and question whether this is pressure selling.

6. Pay attention to warnings from your bank. Your bank is likely to provide a warning when you set up a new payee or make an unusual payment. Be sure to follow any advice provided.

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Safety advice experts Get Safe Online also issued guidance on how to avoid holiday scammers.

Chief executive of Get Safe Online, Tony Neate, said: “Many of us book our holidays online, and it is so important that we can do so safely, securely and with confidence.

“Two top pieces of advice to remember when booking trips and travel online – if a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is, and, if you’re booking with Airbnb, always stay on the platform when searching for a property and making payments.”