Holidaymakers warned they are being targeted by fraudsters

Irish Independent

11 hours ago

The Banking and Payments Federation said holidaymakers were being targeted by fraudsters.
The banking body's FraudSmart division said thieves are zeroing in on holidaymakers with offers, particularly touting 'recent cancellations' or 'limited-time offers' at discounted prices.
They are using highly convincing fake websites, online adverts and social media links, to do this.
FraudSmart's Niamh Davenport said the summer has seen fraudsters ramping up activity to take advantage of holidaymakers looking for last-minute getaways and deals.
'Travel scams can be incredibly convincing and often appear on fake and copycat websites featuring logos and layouts that closely mimic well-known brands.'
She said the scams are targeted at consumers through online adverts and social media posts, often imitating legitimate travel companies or well-known booking platforms.
However, once payment is made — often by bank transfer — the website or link disappears, leaving victims without a booking and out of pocket.
Ms Davenport said some victims may even receive a fake booking confirmation and only discover the scam after they have travelled to the destination and find the accommodation doesn't exist when they arrive.
She said: 'However, there are red flags that consumers can look out for, such as being asked to pay by bank transfer or being pressurised to act quickly.
'It's important to take a moment and double check that the offer is authentic by visiting the official website of the travel company directly rather than clicking on a link in an email or advert.'
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Ms Davenport said the FraudSmart Scamchecker.ie tool provides consumers with a free and simple way to verify the legitimacy of a website or link before making a booking.
'If you pause before you pay, it can make the difference between the holiday of a lifetime or a holiday disaster,' she said.
'Importantly, don't be afraid to ask for help if something does go wrong. We would all like to believe that we'd spot a scam if we saw one, but the reality is that these scams can be very deceptive.
'If you think you have fallen victim to a travel scam, contact your bank immediately using the number on the back of your debit or credit card and report the incident to the Gardaí,' Ms Davenport said.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that large numbers of holidaymakers are delaying the purchase of travel insurance until the last minute, or in some cases, not at all.
A survey commissioned by AA Ireland found that only 30.5pc of respondents said they book travel insurance at the same time as their holiday.
The majority wait until the week they are travelling or just days before, with 15pc admitting they rarely or never take out travel insurance at all.
An AA Ireland spokesperson said: 'While it's encouraging that many do get cover eventually, leaving it to the last minute is a gamble.
'If something unexpected happens between the time you book your trip and your departure date like illness, job loss, or a family emergency you could be left out of pocket without early cover.'
The survey also found that travel is firmly back on the agenda for Irish holidaymakers in 2025, with 71.5pc planning overseas trips this year.