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Warning: Fake Holiday Websites on the Rise As we approach the summer holiday season, fraudsters are increasingly targeting UK consumers with sophisticated fake travel booking websites. These criminals create convincing replica sites that closely imitate well-established travel companies to steal your money and personal information. How the Scam Works Fraudsters create websites that look identical to legitimate travel companiesThey offer attractive holiday deals at competitive pricesVictims pay deposits or full amounts for holidays that don't existPersonal and payment details are harvested for further criminal useAdditional unauthorised purchases may be made using stolen card informationRecent Example A UK consumer recently fell victim to a fake website designed to look like a prominent travel booking site. After paying a substantial deposit for what appeared to be a genuine holiday package, they discovered the booking was fraudulent. The criminals then used the victim's stolen card details to make additional unauthorised purchases. Protect Yourself Before booking any holiday online: Verify the website URL carefully - look for spelling mistakes or unusual domainsCheck the company is ABTA or ATOL protected where applicableLook for secure payment indicators (https:// and padlock symbol)Read reviews from multiple independent sourcesBe wary of deals that seem too good to be trueUse a credit card for purchases over £100 (Section 75 protection)Book directly through official company websites when possibleRed flags to watch for: Poor spelling and grammar on the websiteRequests for payment via bank transfer or unusual methodsPressure to book immediatelyNo clear contact details or customer service informationPrices significantly below market ratesIf You've Been Defrauded Take immediate action: Contact your bank or card provider straight away on 159 to report unauthorised transactionsReport the fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.ukKeep all documentation and correspondence related to the bookingChange passwords on any accounts that may have been compromised. Enter your email into the website Have I Been Pwned which will show you all your accounts that have been compromised. To create a strong password use 3 random words using capitals and lower case. For example MouseRadiatorShoe Set up 2 Step Verification on all your accounts.Stay Vigilant Fraudsters continuously adapt their tactics, particularly during peak booking seasons. Always take time to verify the legitimacy of travel websites before making any payments, regardless of how professional they appear. Share this information with friends and family to help keep our community safe. | 
