In 2017 on average 100 people per week were scammed by holiday fraud, some paying £1000’s to stay in accommodation that doesn’t actually exist.
It’s a sorry state of affairs to concede that at this time of year there is a noted increase in holiday swindlers online. They prey on people who are looking to book a getaway for the upcoming year, people who want to banish the winter blues and have something to be excited about.
These unscrupulous fiends use various different ways to ensnare innocent holidaymakers into parting with their hard-earned cash, often for a below standard apartment or one that doesn’t exist in the first place. The internet had created a much easier and convenient environment for consumers to contact owners directly, however the unfortunate side effect of this the fraudsters also have easy access to consumers.
Some of the common tricks that these people use are setting up fake villa let companies and posing as property owners on sites like Airbnb. They are offering deals that are amazing and reeling their victims in with promises of luxury for unbelievable prices.
Recently consumers have been consulted and it’s clear that people are willing to take a risk for a cheaper deal and 1 in 5 are happy to deal with someone directly, foregoing the security an established site or company can offer.
In 2017 alone 70 ‘fake’ sites were spotted on the internet. Some tricks of the trade that they indulge in to grab custom are paying to advertise through search engines pay per click arrangements. This means that if someone searches online these fraudsters websites will pop up before other sites. If a consumer clicks on the site the owner of the site will be charged, however, these charges are pennies compared to what they may possible con out of an innocent holidaymaker.
Some people have been caught and paid £1000’s for quintessential holiday destinations that have turned out to be fake, a number of families have been caught in this unforgiving trap. The conmen are offering airport transfers, discounts and stocked up fridges to entice people into their lair. It is quite frightening how easy it is for these people to set up the sites and convince decent, hard-working folks to give up their money.
Big search engines on the internet do work to close ‘fake’ sites down as quickly as they can, however, it isn’t always fast enough and often the customers are already trapped in the web.
When you are looking online for your winter breaks and summer holidays work under the premise that if it looks to good to be true, it probably is. Research, check the name and don’t hand over the cash without solid proof your destination exists. In our experience, lots of people that let their own apartments don’t take payment until you are there! They don’t ask for full payment over the phone/online etc.
If in any way you feel uneasy about what you doing, take a minute, trust your gut and double check.
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk