At cottages.com we are always working hard to protect our customers, both whilst away on your holiday and before you travel.
With scams becoming more and more sophisticated, it is important that you are also aware of the risks that criminals represent through activities such as attempting fraud.
Having knowledge of what to be on the lookout for when it comes to scams is one of the best ways to protect yourself, so below are some top tips on fraud prevention and how you can stay safe.
Each year, fraudsters target unsuspecting holidaymakers and travellers by carrying out scams designed to get hold of your money. The types of fraud used by scammers can vary, but the most common will typically be from an unsolicited phone call or email address.
Scams can come in many forms, such as getting you to reveal your personal details, stealing your information, or even attempting to get you to hand over money through unofficial channels.
The key is knowing what to be on the lookout for, how to protect yourself and what to do if you think you’ve been targeted or have fallen victim to fraud.
Take a look at our top tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of fraud:
Pay safe: Never pay directly into an individual’s bank account. Avoid any request to transfer money quickly and outside of legitimate company systems.
Check the paperwork: Fraudsters often create scenarios and produce imitation documentation that looks vaguely authentic but on closer inspection may be less convincing. Ensure you check any communication to make sure it’s coming from an official source and if in doubt, check directly with the company, not via any phone numbers, emails or links provided by a potential fraudster.
Prices that look to good to be true: Be suspicious of any ‘too good to be true offers’ – for example, holidays that are much cheaper than expected or payment terms offering significant discounts. If it seems too good to be true, then it usually is.
Do your research: If you ever feel something is suspicious, visit the website of the company you are using and contact them directly to check whether the activity is genuine. Never give out personal information if you are unsure.
Unexpected contact: Many examples of scams come about when you’re not expecting them, such as offering you a deal outside of previously communicate payment timetables. Nobody officially working for a company will be offended if you end conversation saying you need to check that any approach is authentic.
If you are ever in doubt that you are speaking to someone from our company, please terminate the call and contact us directly on the numbers shown on our website.
Victims should always also contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or register via Action Fraud.