That dream holiday deal could end up costing you more than you think.
A purchase scam happens when criminals convince you to pay for goods or services that don’t exist. During the summer holiday season, travel scams become more common as fraudsters exploit the rush to book flights, accommodation and last-minute getaways, creating convincing offers designed to steal money before travellers realise they’ve been deceived.
As part of our Stay Scam Safe series, we’re sharing practical advice to help customers recognise common scam tactics and stay one step ahead of scammers.
Here’s what to look out for before booking your next trip.
– Zaheer Jassat – VP Product
Every year, criminals exploit the busy holiday season by creating fake travel deals that appear genuine. From holiday rentals and flights to package deals and hotel bookings, scammers know that attractive prices and limited-time offers can encourage people to act quickly.
Many of these scams are very convincing. Fraudsters create professional-looking websites, copy trusted travel brands or advertise fake properties on social media and online marketplaces. Some even send booking confirmations or receipts to make everything look legitimate.
Scammers often rely on excitement and urgency, hoping people will focus on securing the deal rather than checking whether it’s genuine. By the time victims realise something is wrong, the money, and the holiday, have disappeared.
What to watch out for
Travel scams can be very convincing, but there are often warning signs. Be cautious if you notice any of the following:
- A website address that doesn’t look quite right, such as a misspelt company name or an unusual web address
- Prices that are significantly lower than other websites for the same flights, hotel or holiday package
- Requests to pay by bank transfer or payment apps instead of using secure payment methods. Any legitimate company will never ask you to download a payment app to pay for a service or to receive a refund.
- Holiday listings with very few details, poor-quality photos or reviews that seem overly positive or repetitive
- Booking confirmations or invoices that contain spelling mistakes, inconsistent branding or incorrect contact details
Many scams also create a false sense of urgency. Claims such as “last room available”, “today only” or heavily discounted prices are designed to rush people into making a payment before they’ve had time to check whether the offer is genuine.
How to keep safe
A few simple precautions can go a long way:
- Be cautious of prices or offers that seem unusually cheap
- Avoid following links in unsolicited emails or social media adverts
- Visit travel websites by typing the address directly into your browser
- Take time to research the company, accommodation or seller before making a payment
- Choose secure payment methods offered by reputable travel companies and online marketplaces
A few extra minutes spent checking before you pay could help protect your money and make sure your holiday gets off to the right start.
We’re here to help
Keeping customers safe is a responsibility we take very seriously across Sendwave and WorldRemit. If you think you’ve been targeted by a scam or notice suspicious activity on your account, contact us through our official support channels as soon as possible. Reporting concerns early gives us the best opportunity to investigate and help protect you and others from fraud.