Holidaymakers falling victim to flight scams lose nearly £3,000 on average

Holidaymakers falling victim to flight scams lose nearly £3,000 on average, according to a bank’s analysis of customer data.

The volume of scams linked to holiday bookings has increased by a (33%) third over the past year, Lloyds Bank said following an in-depth analysis.

The average amount lost to a flight scam was £2,955, with victims of package holiday scams losing £2,342 on average. Victims of hotel-related scams typically lost £1,231.

And with many people opting for UK-based staycations over the past year, Lloyds said scams linked to people booking short stays in caravans have jumped by 108 per over the past 12 months. The average amount lost was £374.

Many scams start with false adverts on search engines or social media, Lloyds said.

Victims often click on a link taking them to a website and believe they are dealing with a legitimate company.

Some fraudsters lurk on real accommodation listing sites, convincing victims to transfer cash directly rather than through the official platform.

Commenting on the research Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds Bank, said: ‘Now that most pandemic restrictions have come to an end, many of us will be looking forward to a more traditional summer holiday this year.

‘But with demand soaring and prices rising fast, would-be holidaymakers can’t afford to let their guard down when hunting for the best deals.

‘Scammers are ready to cash in on any last-minute surge in bookings, so it’s vital that consumers know how to stay safe.

‘Book directly with trusted sites or travel agents, avoid following links on social media, and always pay by card for the greatest protection. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is.’