HERTFORDSHIRE HOLIDAYMAKERS LOSE 5K EACH TO HOLIDAY FRAUD – HIGHEST IN THE UK

• Holidaymakers from Hertfordshire lost nearly half a million pounds to holiday fraud.
• This is an average loss of almost £5k per victim, the highest in the UK.
• Last year a total of 6,640 reports of holiday fraud were made to Action Fraud with holiday makers losing a combined total of £12.3 million.

Data from Action Fraud shows that last year there were 99 incidents of holiday fraud reported to Hertfordshire Police. In total holidaymakers from the region lost a combined total of £481,236.00, meaning that each consumer who fell victim to holiday fraud lost an average of £4,860.97 per person, the highest in the UK.*

Recent data shows that Brits are planning on spending, on average, £2,525** each of their hard-earned cash on their next summer holiday, so the UK Civil Aviation Authority, which runs the ATOL scheme, is urging consumers to use its ‘Check an ATOL’ tool to make sure their holiday provider has an ATOL Licence.

Michael Budge, Head of ATOL at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:

“In the run up to Black Friday, we are encouraging people to research thoroughly before booking their next holiday, as there can be a risk of getting caught out by hidden costs and extras, or potentially booking with fraudulent companies.

“We urge consumers to check for ATOL protection, book by credit card where possible and take out travel insurance to offer layers of financial protection for their next package trip.”

Oliver Shaw, Temporary Commander for Fraud and Cybercrime from the City of London Police, said:

 “This Black Friday, shoppers will be eager to snap up the best holiday deals and that means fraudsters will be targeting people looking for their next trip away.

“We encourage Black Friday shoppers to stay vigilant to online fraudsters trying to catch people out by offering cheaper prices or unrealistic deals on social media and online marketplaces.

“Trust your instincts: if something doesn’t feel right about a website, an advert or a purchase you’re making, leave it immediately. Pay with a credit card if you can and avoid paying by bank transfer. Remember to stay safe online and protect yourself from fraudsters this Black Friday.”

Top tips to help prevent falling victim to holiday fraud:

• Do your research: before committing and booking your dream holiday, make sure that you do a thorough online search to ensure the company is credible.
• Check the web address: and don’t follow links from unsolicited messages.
• Pay safely: where possible use a credit card when shopping online.
• Look for the logo: make sure they’re a licensed company and check that they are properly accredited. Look for an ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) and/or a membership of ABTA, The Association of British Travel Agents.
• Stay safe online: use three random words to create a strong password for your email that’s different to all your other passwords. If a 2-step verification option is available, always set it.
  • Beware of suspicious messages: be cautious of unexpected emails or messages offering unrealistic holiday deals. If you receive a suspicious email, report it by forwarding it to [email protected]
  • Protect personal information: only fill in the mandatory details on a website when making a purchase. If possible, don’t create an account for the online store when making your payment.
• Book with confidence: be sceptical of unrealistic holiday deals. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Exercise caution and research before making purchases.

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. If you live in Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.