Holidaymakers have been warned to be cautious when booking social media accommodation deals, as one in three travellers have encountered potential travel scams this year alone. Research by emerchantpay reveals that 70% of people are wary of promotional holiday emails due to the threat of scams.
Consumer experts advise taking extra precautions to avoid falling prey to fake bookings, such as conducting a reverse image search on photographs of holiday homes and verifying their locations using an online map.
It is also recommended that holidaymakers check if the booking company is a member of Abta, ensuring they adhere to industry standards. Package deals with flights should be checked for Atol protection, safeguarding against financial loss in case of firm closure.
The warning comes as travel scams continue to rise, with social media platforms being exploited by scammers to sell non-existent holiday homes. Experts stress the importance of due diligence when booking accommodation online.