Lloyds Highlights Risks of Fraud on Booking.com and Airbnb
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As the summer holiday approaches, Lloyds Bank is urging customers to take caution as they plan their summer vacations. An analysis by Lloyds shows a 7% increase in holiday purchase scams over the past year, with victims losing an average of £765. Individuals between the ages of 35-44 are the most affected victims, accounting for over a quarter of victims (27%).
Lloyds Aims To Raise Awareness About The Prevalence Of Holiday Scams
Lord claims that scammers often lie and wait for their victims on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, where 49% of holiday scams initiate from. Even reputable booking sites like Airbnb and Booking.com have been a playground for fraudulent activities.
Fraudsters use stolen images to create fictional homes or hotels on Booking.com and Airbnb, often accepting a part payment on the website before requesting further payments through another format. Victims may not realize they’ve been scammed until they arrive at their stay, leaving them in a difficult state.
Liz Ziegler, Fraud Prevention Director at Lloyds Bank, urges holidaymakers to exercise caution while planning their summer vacation. Ziegler further added that, while beautiful holiday homes and legitimate cheap flights are out there, individuals need to take steps to ensure they are buying something legit. For instance, Facebook Marketplace is perhaps not the ideal place to book a flight for the next holiday, she added.
Lloyds Seeks To Ensure Safe Online Transactions For Travel Plans
Ziegler emphasizes the importance of verifying the legitimacy of online purchases. She recommends booking through trusted retailers when an individual is in doubt. Individuals should always use cards for payments when it comes to booking stays, and avoid direct money transfers to hosts.
The most common fake item used to scam people involves fake flight tickets and caravans. Fraudsters entice their victims by offering false advertisement promises of caravans or cheap flights or deals to sell their tickets. The scammers then disappear soon after the payment to change the name on the ticket is been made.
Lloyds advises travelers to book stays directly from airlines and hotels, always use credit or debit cards for funds protection, and resist pressure to deposit if being sent numerous requests for funds.
When booking via platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com, Lloyds recommends only paying via their systems and resisting pressure to make direct transfers to hosts’ accounts. Any requests for follow-up payments via email should be verified with the website first, Lloyds added.
