Expert issues scam website alert for anyone who needs travel card
UK tourists have been warned to be on the lookout for a scam that could catch out holidaymakers
People have been urged to research deals before booking trips after over £11 million was lost to holiday fraud in 2024. Siobhan Blagbrough, Financial Crime Manager at Ocean Finance, explained: "Everyone's looking for a bargain break, and that makes us more likely to rush into things without checking the details properly.
"Fraudsters take advantage of the seasonal demand by posting fake listings, posing as landlords or travel agents, and demanding upfront payments for holidays that don't exist." The expert also issued an alert over a Global Health Insurance Card scam, warning: "We're also seeing people being tricked into paying for Global Health Insurance Cards (GHICs), which are free through the NHS."
The NHS website explains that you can apply for a card for free. It says: "The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country (...) A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to 5 years. Apply for your new card through the NHS website. Avoid unofficial websites – they may charge you a fee to apply."
However, scammers could target holidaymakers applying for a card, and it's one of several methods known to be popular with fraudsters, reports the Mirror. Siobhan said: "The most common trick is to pile on the pressure, scammers love using urgency to force quick decisions. If a deal seems too good to be true, take a step back and research before you book."
Below, the expert highlighted five of the biggest holiday scams to look out for.
Fake accommodation listings
Siobhan said: "Fraudsters will post holiday homes that don't exist or aren't available for rent, taking payments upfront before disappearing. These listings often appear on social media or lesser-known websites. Always double-check the listing by running a reverse image search and booking through trusted platforms."
Clone comparison sites
"Some scammers go to great lengths to build fake versions of well-known holiday comparison or airline sites. They look almost identical but are set up purely to steal your payment details. Double-check the web URL and look out for subtle misspellings or unusual domain names," the expert warned.
Bogus travel agents
"You might get a message from a 'travel expert' offering a last-minute deal that feels too good to ignore. They may even send what looks like a real booking confirmation," the expert revealed. "But behind the scenes, there's no flight or hotel reservation. If they insist on a bank transfer or pressure you to book fast, walk away."
Social media bargains
Siobhan continued: "Many scammers use Facebook or Instagram to post holiday deals, but clicking through often leads to fake booking pages or demands for advance payments. They might say 'only two spots left' or 'another family is interested', but this urgency is all part of the scam."
Fake GHIC websites
"Applying for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) through the NHS website is free, but scam websites sometimes charge a £30 - £40 fee to 'process' your application. These fake sites look professional and often rank high on search results, so it's easy to be fooled," the expert said.
How to protect your money
Siobhan advised sticking to trusted sites and companies and paying by credit card for extra protection. She said: "Book through well-known companies and pay inside the platform using a secure method. Once you go outside those platforms, you lose the protection they offer. If someone asks for a bank transfer or says they'll give you a better deal if you pay privately, that's a big red flag."
Siobhan added that you shouldn't ignore warning signs. "If a deal looks unusually cheap for the time of year or destination, slow down and look a bit closer. Check whether the company is part of a recognised travel association like ABTA or ATOL. Even searching the company name with the word 'scam' can bring up useful results," she explained.
The expert said: "If you think you've been scammed, act fast. Contact your bank straight away - if the payment hasn't gone through yet, they might be able to stop it. If it has, they can talk you through what to do next. It's also important to report the scam to Action Fraud and Citizens Advice, and if the scam came via email, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk."
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