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EXPLORE FURTHER: Flight Attendant Discloses the Unexpectedly Grubby Spot on an Aircraft
With the height of holiday booking season upon us, numerous British travelers are searching for the most attractive deals on trips.
However, a travel specialist has cautioned enthusiastic vacationers to be wary of various scams that could cost them thousands of dollars.
Thanasis MougIOUS, a travel expert from Kinglike Concierge, has revealed five scams that might deceive visitors.
Counterfeit electronic tickets and imitation airline websites
Thanasis explains that these scams usually involve fake webpages which are designed to steal payment details or trick travellers.
He states: “Book your flights exclusively via authorized airline sites or reliable platforms such as Expedia, Kayak, or Skyscanner.”
‘Be cautious with third-party resellers unless they’re well-known and accredited. Watch for red flags in emails such as generic greetings, incorrect domains or urgent language are common in phishing attempts.
Ensure you always review the sender’s email address, and validate confirmations by either signing into the airline’s official website or reaching out to their customer support directly.
Fake travel agents
The specialist cautions that con artists may fabricate bogus sites or imitate authorized travel agencies.
Thanasis recommends that clients should always confirm their travel agent’s information via reputable organizations like ABTA.
What signs should travelers look for to identify a fraudulent agent?
Thanasis states: “Genuine agents offer contracts, clear cancellation terms, and avoid pushing for immediate, non-refundable payments through platforms like cash apps, wire transfers, or gift cards.”
If an agency doesn’t have online reviews, a physical location, or a customer service number, it might be a scam.
The ‘free cruise’ trap
Thanasis indicates that numerous fraudsters have noticed the increased enthusiasm for cruise trips and are now focusing their efforts on ’emerging travelers.’
He warns: ‘Be careful of unsolicited cruise offers, especially those claiming you’ve “won” a trip or an “exclusive invite” as reputable cruise lines don’t operate this way.’
Thanasis advises travelers to “ensure they confirm all cruise information directly with the official company by verifying vessel names, travel routes, and scheduled departure times.”
Prior to executing any payment, the travel specialist underscores the significance of obtaining a ‘written agreement that explicitly details all charges, taxes, harbor adjustments, and refund terms.’
Timeshare scams and high-pressure sales
Victims of this scam are often ‘lured into fraudulent timeshare deals or bogus resale offers’ that promise ‘luxury vacations, exclusive perks and high-end amenities’, says Thanasis.
He explains that these scams often look ‘legitimate’ and have ‘polished marketing materials’.
‘The majority of scams rely on oral assurances that are not included in the written contract,’ states Thanasis.
He advises: ‘Do your homework by researching the developer, location and customer reviews on platforms.’
Fake vacation homes and cloned hotel listings
Thanasis says: ‘To avoid accommodation scams, always book through trusted platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, or the hotel’s official site, and stick to their built-in messaging and payment systems.’
If a seller encourages you to pay them money outside the platform, never do it warns Thanasis.
“If someone requests that, it’s a big warning sign and probably indicates a scam,” he states.
And the golden rule?
Thanasis states: “When something seems incredibly genuine, it often isn’t.”
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