Last year, over 5,000 people reported losing money to holiday and travel-related fraud in the UK, totalling a loss of over £7 million. This is an increase from £6.7 million in 2017, according to Action Fraud, the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau and ABTA. These figures are expected to be higher, as many victims don’t report the crime because they’re too embarrassed to do so.

Over 25% of the losses were attributed from the sale of accommodation, which peaks in October after the busy summer period. The average amount lost is expected to be around £1,380 according to the report, with added emotional impact, as well as consequential damage and cost on top of this.

Holiday rental fraud is growing, and scammers are becoming even more intelligent and savvy with sophisticated methods, so customers need to be vigilant when booking holiday accommodation through non-travel agent websites. December and January are two of the most popular months when it comes to scams, as we get caught up in the deals that surround the holidays.

In one of our previous blogs, we put together some tips on how to stay safe when booking a holiday online. However, due to the constantly increasing number of scammers, we’ve compiled another blog which looks at everything you need to know about villa scams and take you through what to look out for when booking a holiday if you opt to book accommodation through a non-travel agent site.

What to Look Out for Initially

The world is at your fingertips on the internet. When you’re looking for the perfect villa for your holiday, there are several things to look out for to ensure you’re safe online. Vetting the website by checking the following points will take a few minutes but could potentially save you a lot of stress!

Look at Reviews

Not only should you check the website for reviews, search on Google and look for reviews on external sites, such as Trip Advisor. Check the company’s social channels to see what people are saying; if they don’t have any, this could be a red flag.

Don’t rely on just one review but search other mediums for things said about the company or villa. Look for detail in reviews, as scammers will at times create fake reviews, which are very vague. Pay particular attention to how old the reviews are as well.

Think About the Price

Research other villas and holidays, check the prices of each and compare these to the one you intend to book. If the price is low compared to the others, it may be too good to be true!

Check for an ABTA Logo

Previously standing for the Association of British Travel Agents, the trade association covers travel agents and tour operators. Check on their website whether they’re a member (our ABTA number is Y5238). Usually, travel agents and tour operators will proudly display the logo on their website but do double-check on the ABTA site whether they are registered too. ABTA has strict Codes of Conduct, so by ensuring the provider is registered, you can book your holiday with peace of mind!

“I have just come off the phone from an owner who said she would knock £500 off the cost of my villa holiday with her if I paid the whole balance by bank transfer tonight. I’m not going for 2 years and this felt a bit desperate to me, sounded like a scam just to get my money tonight and I wouldn’t know it was a con for another 2 years. I would rather pay a bit more and have peace of mind knowing I am protected with an ABTA registered company like Debbie’s Villas.” (Mrs G from Kent)

Look at the Web Address

Does the website use HTTPS (the S stands for secure) or does the site have a padlock displayed? Are you being redirected to another webpage or is the web address being altered to another domain (for example from .com to .org)? If the website isn’t secure or you’re being redirected to another page, this is another red flag.

Be Wary of Mobile Numbers

Many of the scammer’s websites won’t feature a telephone number, and if they do, it is more than likely to be a mobile number. Search for company information, find the registered telephone number and call this number. The dialling code for the company should match the registered address. For example, our dialling code is 01892, which is the area code for Royal Tunbridge Wells. Our registered office address is in Paddock Wood, four miles north of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

What to do When Booking

Once you’ve vetted the website, there are also things to look out for when you’re booking. Some scammers are very smart, which is where they could bypass all the initial checks. To help stay even more secure, the following steps should be taken.

Beware of Being Directed Away from the Site for Payment

Scammers tend to lure shoppers away from the booking platform to make the payment. Often, they’ll try to tempt shoppers by offering them a better rate by paying through this channel. Don’t fall for this, as you should never be redirected to another site to pay.

Use a Credit Card

If it’s possible, we’d always recommend booking a holiday on a credit card, as banks will provide additional legal protection if something does go wrong. If your holiday costs between £100 and £30,000, section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act means the credit card company have equal liability with the seller.

Never Pay by Bank Transfer

It’s recommended to never pay by bank transfer, as it’s a lot harder to track where the money has gone through this option. Which if you’re a victim of holiday booking fraud, can make it more difficult to get your money back. Scammers will withdraw this money, and it’s gone without a trace.

Obtain Written Confirmation

Companies should always send some form of confirmation; check invoices, terms and conditions and any receipts which you receive. If you don’t receive any written confirmation initially, get in contact and ask for it.

When booking villa accommodation via Debbie’s Villas, we’ll send booking confirmation via email, followed by a letter of agreement to your home address and once the final payment has been made, a second letter. Two weeks before your arrival date, we'll send another letter with directions on how to get to the villa, as well as the access code for entering your holiday accommodation.

What to do if You’ve Been Scammed

Unfortunately, scammers are becoming more clever and sometimes even after following all the stages above, it is still possible to become a victim of fraud. If you find yourself becoming a victim, report it to Action Fraud, by either calling them on 0300 123 20 40 or by visiting their website. If the company are a member of ABTA, report it to them. In addition, if you paid using a credit card, contact your card issuer.

As seen in the research, many victims are too embarrassed to report the crime. However, as scammers are becoming savvier, there is no need to feel ashamed. To help others, take to social media and warn them of the company. You could be the reason someone finds out about a scammer before they book!

Here at Debbie’s Villas, we have reps out in Orlando that visit each and every one of the properties regularly that feature on our website. They’re inspected and passed by us; if we wouldn’t stay there, why should you?

Hopefully, our blog has helped you understand villa scams a little more. With the growing number of scammers, it is better to be safe than sorry, and following the tips should help you stay safer online. If you’re looking for Orlando holiday villas to rent, browse our range and shop for a holiday of a lifetime with peace of mind! Our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions you may have, so don’t be afraid to get in touch!