Fraud and travel money experts say fake bookings, copycat websites, and too-good-to-be-true deals can turn a long-awaited trip into a costly headache.
There’s nothing wrong with looking for a bargain when booking a holiday. A £50 return flight to Tenerife or five-star hotel for £150 a night sounds exactly like the kind of deal worth grabbing.
But scammers know that too. They deliberately design fake listings, tickets, and offers to look like genuine bargains, because a good deal is exactly what stops people asking too many questions.
It’s not just hotel bookings travellers need to watch out for, either. From fake Airbnb listings and bogus flight tickets to dodgy currency exchanges and inflated taxi fares, scammers have built increasingly convincing versions of situations every traveller runs into.
Knowledge is power. That’s why travel and fraud experts have shared the five scams to watch out for this season, along with the simple checks that can catch them before they cost you.
1. When accommodation deals look too good to be true
That bargain holiday villa or hotel room might look like the perfect find, but if the price seems too good to be true, it could be a scam.
Fraudsters regularly create fake accommodation listings via social media or copycat booking websites that look like legitimate platforms. In some cases, the property their enticing you with may not exist at all, so be aware and do further checks before you part with any money.
“If you’ve found a property through social media or an unfamiliar website, check whether the accommodation appears elsewhere online and look closely at the reviews. It’s also important to verify listings on Google Maps, read independent reviews, and when you feel satisfied pay securely using a credit card, which offers you protection against fraud. If someone insists on a bank transfer, do not pay and walk away.
“A genuine-looking website doesn’t necessarily mean the person behind it is genuine too,” warns Hannah Mayfield, a travel money expert working with PayingTooMuch.
2. When cheap flights are not really cheap flights
Cheap flights can be hard to resist and scammers know this and use bargain prices to lure travellers in.
Fake flight scams can involve third-party sellers advertising tickets that simply don’t exist. You may receive a confirmation email or booking reference, only to discover later that no genuine ticket was ever issued.
“Before paying for a flight, check who you’re buying from. If you don’t recognise the company, do some research and look for independent reviews.
If the price is significantly cheaper than everywhere else, do not let the excitement of finding a bargain stop you from checking it thoroughly. Where possible, confirm the flight directly with the airline and make sure you have genuine, written proof of your booking,” Hannah advises.
3. When a no-commission exchange is not the best deal
Some currency exchange offers might look like a bargain, but holidaymakers could end up paying more than they realise.
Providers may advertise 0% commission, but that doesn’t always mean you’re getting the best deal. The cost could be hidden in the exchange rate, leaving you with less foreign currency for your pounds.
And it’s not just poor exchange rates travellers need to watch out for. Using unofficial exchange services can also put you at risk of receiving counterfeit notes.
According to Mayfield: “In busy tourist spots, you may find small booths offering to exchange your money at rates that sound too good to be true. Be cautious, as you could end up with counterfeit notes mixed in with genuine ones.
It’s always safer to use a well-known bank or an official exchange kiosk, where you can be more confident that your money is being exchanged legitimately.”
4. When staying connected abroad comes with strings attached
As more travellers look for ways to avoid expensive roaming charges, eSIM deals can be tempting. But they are worth checking carefully before you download an app, scan a QR code, or enter payment details.
Hannah says, “An eSIM is a convenient way to stay connected; however, it has offered scammers another way in, with fake providers, bogus codes, malicious apps and phishing messages all being used to steal personal and financial information. In some cases, scammers can even take control of a phone.
“Only download eSIMs directly from a recognised provider’s official app or website, and never from a link sent by text or email. If a deal is only available through a QR code someone has handed or sent you, treat it with suspicion.”
And, if you need to access sensitive information abroad, like a bank account, be vigilant when using public Wi-Fi. Hackers can compromise unprotected networks or set up copycat hotspots to execute cyberattacks, like redirecting victims to phishing pages. Using a VPN will give you an extra layer of protection as it secures your connection.
Travellers who buy their travel insurance through comparison site PayingTooMuch can get the protection they need. Through their limited time offer, travellers can get a verified eSIM with 3GB of free roaming data from Saily, plus two months of free VPN protection from NordVPN‘s basic plan – both included as part of the insurance policy chosen and ready to activate before departure.
5. When you should think twice about the taxi
Airport transfers are another prime opportunity for ‘everyday’ scammers to take advantage of tourists who aren’taccustomed to the local prices.
Travellers may be charged far more than expected, taken on a longer route or told that a meter isn’t working. In some cases, drivers may also change the fare or tariff during the journey without making this clear.
Hannah says: “Taxi scams can be particularly easy to fall for when you’re somewhere unfamiliar, as you might not know what a normal journey should cost. Before you travel, have a quick look at the typical taxi fares in the area and try sticking to official taxi ranks or reputable booking apps.
If you’re getting into a taxi, agree the price beforehand if there isn’t a meter, and check that the meter is showing the correct fare before you set off. It’s also worth keeping an eye on your route using a map on your phone, particularly if you feel the journey is taking longer than it should.”
What do I do if I’m being scammed?
Fraud expert and author Becky Holmes says, “No one should feel ashamed if they become a victim of fraud. Fraudsters do this for a living – they are experts at creating pressure and making something feel so urgent that you act on it before you’ve taken the time to stop and think.
Fraud is becoming increasingly hard to spot. In particular, AI is making it easier, quicker and cheaper for fraudsters to create convincing and tailored messages, fake websites, realistic travel listings and even deepfake-style content that looks and sounds like a real person.
This means the old advice to ‘spot the bad spelling, grammar, or strange email addresses’ is no longer enough. Fraudsters will often sound polished, personal and believable, and they can use details they’ve found online from real people or businesses to make it feel familiar and real.
Professional fraudsters are incredibly persuasive. They will present you with very convincing deals, often available for a ‘limited time only’. They will be friendly, helpful and do their best to persuade you that they want to get the very bestbargain for you.
Before you commit to anything, just take a break from it. Check the website address by looking out for subtle misspellings, contact the company directly using details you find yourself rather than those you’ve been given, and only pay with credit or with debit card through a reputable booking system – no legitimate company will ask for a bank transfer, money transfer services or cryptocurrency.”
If you think you have been duped, the best thing you can do is act fast before panic sets in.
Hannah’s final advice is to: “Contact your bank or credit card provider straight away so they can stop or dispute the payment and settle a chargeback where possible. You should also report the scam to Report Fraud, and if a fraudulent financial service was involved, to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).”