Key takeaways

A price far below competitors, a request to pay a private bank account, or no paperwork are the clearest signs of a travel scam.

  • ABTA says never to pay directly into a private individual’s bank account, and to ask for confirmation, preferably after paying by credit or debit card.
  • ABTA advises checking the ABTA logo, ATOL protection for flights, and the web address, since fraudsters make small domain changes.
  • Scamwatch describes fake listings, hacked rental sites that redirect payments, and discounted accommodation vouchers that never arrive.

Got a name, website, or phone number from the sender? Check the scam directory.

How travel and holiday booking scams work

ABTA says fraudsters create fake websites, hack legitimate accounts, and post fake adverts on websites and social media. The result is a booking that does not exist, a flight ticket that is never issued, or a holiday property that is not for rent.

Scamwatch describes three patterns. Holiday voucher scams offer heavily discounted accommodation vouchers. Holiday hacking scams break into rental or travel websites to intercept emails between travellers and genuine owners, then pose as the owner and redirect payments. Fake listing scams use unusually cheap ads, sometimes copied from genuine ones, with payment requested by money transfer. Scamwatch’s alert dates from 2013, but the methods match what ABTA warns about today.

ABTA also names two areas with extra risk: sports and religious trips, because tickets are limited, and timeshares and holiday clubs, where it advises having the contract vetted by a solicitor before signing.

Eight warning signs

  1. A price well below competitors. ABTA lists prices well below competitors, especially for airline tickets, as a red flag. Scamwatch says: if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is.
  2. A request to pay a private person’s bank account. ABTA says never to pay directly into a private individual’s bank account. See bank transfer scams.
  3. An unusual payment method. ABTA flags unusual payment requests. Scamwatch notes that fake listings usually ask for a money transfer. Card payments give you somewhere to turn if things go wrong.
  4. No receipt, invoice, or terms and conditions. ABTA says to be very wary of companies that provide none of these.
  5. A web address that is slightly off. ABTA says fraudsters make small domain changes, such as switching .co.uk to .org. Type the address yourself rather than following an ad.
  6. A message that changes the payment details. Scamwatch describes hackers who intercept emails between travellers and owners and redirect payments. Phone the owner on a number you found independently before you pay.
  7. No ABTA or ATOL proof when you would expect it. ABTA advises checking membership through its member search and ATOL protection on the CAA website. Search the number yourself, not the one on the seller’s site.
  8. A visa or passport site that adds fees. ABTA says many official-looking sites add unnecessary fees. Use the government sites instead.

How to check a booking in two minutes

  1. Search the company name more widely, not just its own reviews. ABTA notes other people may have posted warnings.
  2. Look for the ABTA logo and confirm it through the ABTA member search if in doubt. For flights, check ATOL protection on the CAA website.
  3. For airline tickets, ABTA says check the agent holds an IATA licence and that the itinerary shows a six-digit PNR (Passenger Name Record).
  4. Contact the business or property owner using details you find yourself, such as an independent search, as Scamwatch advises. Check names and addresses match public information.
  5. Pay by credit or debit card where possible, and get written confirmation before you travel. See online shopping scams and rental scams.

If you already paid or gave details

Act quickly. These steps follow ABTA, Scamwatch, and the FTC.

  1. If you paid by card, report the fraud to your card issuer. ABTA gives this advice, and the FTC says to call the number on the back of the card and ask for a refund.
  2. If you paid by transfer, contact your bank or the money transfer company immediately and ask for a reversal. ABTA describes a victim told a transfer service offered no fraud protection, so speed matters.
  3. Save the evidence: the advert, the website address, messages, receipts, and payment details.
  4. If the company may be an ABTA member, report it to ABTA as well.
  5. If you gave personal details, change passwords and watch your accounts. Scamwatch also advises keeping anti-virus software up to date.
  6. Do not pay a “recovery” service. See recovery scams.

Where to report

More help from official sources

Scambaba is an independent educational project. Reporting and recovery options depend on where you live. How these guides are researched is on the editorial policy.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check a travel company is legitimate?

ABTA advises looking for the ABTA logo and checking membership through its member search, and checking ATOL protection for flights on the CAA website. Search the number yourself rather than trusting the one on the seller’s site.

Is it safe to pay a holiday owner by bank transfer?

ABTA says never to pay directly into a private individual’s bank account. Scamwatch notes fake listings usually ask for a money transfer. Pay by card where possible.

What is a holiday hacking scam?

Scamwatch describes scammers who hack rental or travel websites to intercept emails between travellers and genuine owners, then pose as the owner and redirect payments to themselves.

I paid by card. Can I get my money back?

Report it to your card issuer straight away. ABTA advises this, and the FTC says to call the number on the back of the card and ask for a refund.

Where do I report travel fraud?

In the UK, ABTA points victims to Report Fraud and to ABTA if the company may be a member. See the list above for other countries.