Holiday booking fraud costs £1.5m
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A crackdown on holiday booking fraud has been launched in the form of a consumer campaign by ABTA, Get Safe Online, Action Fraud and the City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB).
The campaign has been launched around new research from NFIB which found schemes are costing consumers GBP1.5 million and include tickets not turning up, fake tickets, visa applications or taking money for take accommodation bookings.
As part of the campaign ABTA has encouraged customers to look for its logo as the sign of a reputable company.
The NFIB also believes only 45% of holiday fraud is reported and urged those affected to get in touch.
“The internet has revolutionised the way we look for and book our holidays. Unfortunately it is also enabling fraudsters to prey upon people’s desires to create that perfect break for friends and family, using online offers of villas, hotels and flights that are either double-booked or simply don’t exist,” said DCI Pete O’Doherty, deputy director of the NFIB.
“Only by knowing the true nature and scale of the problem can we identify and effectively target those most responsible for this damaging and distressing crime, which is why it is so important for victims of holiday fraud to contact Action Fraud,” he added.