Travellers from Northern Ireland seeking to book a getaway online have been urged to be vigilant after it was revealed more than £100,000 was lost to holiday fraud last year.
A total of 74 people here fell victim to scammers between January 1 and December 31, 2024 losing a total of £105,553, according to the latest figures released by Action Fraud.
However it marks a reduction from the 89 people preyed upon in 2023 when victims lost a total of £155, 245.
The figures have prompted a warning from the PSNI.
Chair of ScamwiseNI, Superintendent Joanne Gibson, said: “It’s natural to want the best deal when booking a holiday. However, we know criminals will try to take advantage of this, either by promoting fake holidays online or through social media, often with suspiciously low prices.
“What can seem like a bargain holiday, or a good deal online, can be the start of a scam, which can leave people out of pocket and scupper their holiday plans.
“Our advice is that before booking the holiday, look for the usual logos, like ABTA and ATOL.”
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Superintendent Gibson urged jetsetters to take their time and do proper research to make sure purported holiday deals are genuine “and that you haven’t booked a getaway that doesn’t exist”.
The public is being advised to follow police’s ‘Stop Check Report’ advice to protect themselves and their wallets.”
Stop — be cautious with bank transfer requests. If possible, pay using a credit card. Most major credit card providers offer protection for online purchases. The safest way to pay is by credit card and, where at all possible, avoid paying by bank transfer to someone you do not know or have not met in person.
Check — do your research. Don’t rely on just one website or review. If it’s a fake, there’s a good chance others will write about their experience and some basic internet research will find it. Look for the logo, check to see if the company is a member of Abta and, if you’re booking a flight, check to see it’s approved by Atol.
Report — if you have lost money in this way, or any type of fraud, report it to police on 101, to your bank immediately, online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
Information and advice is also available at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni and on the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni
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