Online holiday booking warning
7th July 2010
Travellers risk seeing bargain "dream holidays" turn into a nightmare if they book online, according to research.
The survey by Government-back body GetSafeOnline.org and travel organisation Abta discovered that up to 30% of online bookers fail to check the authenticity of their travel providers.
Some 22% of the 1,000 adults polled do not check if their web page is secure when booking, while 36% say they do not track and check the payments in their bank or credit card statements after making a booking
The survey also found that 22% say they have been approached with holiday deals or villa rentals via unsolicited emails, phones calls or text messages from individuals or organisations they do not know.
Unfortunate holidaymakers who find out too late that the dream villa they booked was bogus are often forced to rely on their travel money until alternative accommodation is found.
Tony Neate, managing director of GetSafeOnline.org, said: "When we've been working hard the rest of the year, for most people, making sure we have a great summer holiday is really important.
"Fraudsters recognise this and play on people's desires - we get caught up in the excitement of a 'bargain dream holiday' and cautiousness goes out the window.
"When things don't start to add up, that's when you really need to do your research."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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