As summer draws to an end, Brits are looking for holiday deals to escape the dreary weather.
Searches on Google for ‘last-minute holidays’ have reached their peak – from the start to January and the start of August 2025, they have soared by 207%.
However, with such an influx of people trying to get away, experts have warned to be wary over scams.
From the start of April, Action Fraud has received 114 reports of passport application fraud.
Experts from Remitly, an online money transfer service, have shared their tips for how to avoid common holiday scams.
They urge holidaymakers to purchase travel insurance as soon as they book a trip to cover themselves for any issues.
Tourists are advised to check the policy ‘carefully to ensure it covers fraud and cancellations’.
Verifying when the cover starts is also important, as it may be from the time of the booking or the start of the trip which could impact protection from scams.
As summer draws to an end, Brits are looking for holiday deals to escape the dreary weather (stock)
However, with such an influx of people trying to get away, experts have warned to be wary over scams (stock)
Another trick to look out for is a travel visa scam, when fraudsters make copies of legitimate visa application websites.
Tourists are then tricked into entering payment details and other personal information that the scammers can use to their advantage.
Some companies make holidaygoers cough up extortionate fees for doing the application through them.
Though this is legal, it isn’t necessary and Remitly advises travellers to check the official government website for the country they are entering.
Remitly experts also advise to take steps to verify the websites used for bookings are legitimate.
‘Always check the URL for correct spelling and look for the “https://” prefix and padlock symbol, which indicate a secure site,’ they urge.
Other things like old photos, spelling errors and outdated information are also tell-tale signs of a scam.
Another way to avoid illegitimate companies is to only go by official channels to communicate and pay.
Some tricksters may try to appear as travel companies via email, text message or social media and offer refunds for fake cancellations.
This is often a tactic to steal tourists’ personal details.
Experts from Remitly, an online money transfer service, have shared their tips for how to avoid common holiday scams (stock)
Instead, Remitly warns travellers who receive ‘unexpected contact’ regarding their trip to ‘check the sender’s email address carefully and verify the request through the company’s official website or customer service number’.
They add to never provide sensitive information such as bank details and passport numbers unless certain it is secure.
Competitions and giveaways are best to avoid unless they are sure to be genuine.
Experts warn tourists against entering competitions online and on social media, as it could be scammers who then email the ‘winner’ and ask for personal details.
‘Any prize holiday should be booked and confirmed through secure, well-known travel platforms to ensure you’re covered,’ they add.
Travellers who think they have been scammed are urged to contact Action Fraud and their bank immediately.