Spotting Fake Booking Websites: What to Look Out For Before Booking Coach Trips & Local Tours

With community travel groups and coach excursions being so popular across the UK, fraudsters are increasingly targeting holidaymakers with convincing lookalike pages and counterfeit booking sites.

Recently, a suspicious site operating under the name "Emma's Explorers" (emmasgr8explore.netlify.app / linked via Facebook) came to light. While Facebook has been notified, the page and site may still be active.

To help protect our local community, here is a quick breakdown of the key red flags to look for before paying for any trip online.

Key Red Flags to Watch For

1. Free Developer Hosting Instead of a Custom Domain Legitimate travel agencies and tour operators use secure, professional domain names ending in .co.uk or .com. Be extremely cautious if a booking page uses a free web-builder or developer subdomain like .netlify.app, .wixsite.com, or .weebly.com.

2. Generic Email Addresses Established travel companies typically use email addresses tied to their registered business domain (e.g., info@companyname.co.uk). Relying strictly on a free Gmail or Hotmail address is a major warning sign.

3. Unverifiable ABTA / ATOL Numbers Scam sites often display fake or stolen ABTA or ATOL protection numbers to build trust. You should always verify any listed membership number directly on the official ABTA Registry or the CAA ATOL Database.

4. Unusual Payment Methods Be wary of any seller asking for payment via direct bank transfer, "Friends & Family" PayPal, or gift cards rather than a standard, secure card checkout. Bank transfers offer minimal buyer protection if the seller vanishes.

What to Do If You Spot a Suspicious Booking Site

• Report it to the NCSC: You can report suspicious web links directly to the UK National Cyber Security Centre via their Report a Scam Website tool.

• Report to Action Fraud: If you have lost money to a fake listing, report it to https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/ or call 0300 123 2040 (or Police Scotland via 101).

• Report Social Media Listings: Report suspicious posts or pages directly within Facebook (Report Page/Post > Fake Page or Scam).

Please share this post with friends or family members who regularly book local trips or coach excursions online!

ATOL Protection: How to Make a Claim (Video Guide)

https://www.atol.org/check-for-atol/

If your travel company has gone into administration, you may be able to claim a refund through the ATOL protection scheme. This blog post will discuss a helpful video from ATOL that walks you through how to make an ATOL claim using the ATOL portal.

What is ATOL protection?

ATOL protection is a financial failure scheme for package and flight-only travel companies in the UK. If your travel company goes into administration, ATOL protection can help you get a refund for your holiday or get back home if you are already abroad.

How to make an ATOL claim

You can make an ATOL claim online through the ATOL portal. To do this, you will need your ATOL certificate number and your booking reference number.

ATOL has a helpful video that walks you through the process of making an ATOL claim using the ATOL portal.

In the video, ATOL explains:

• What information you need to provide
• How to submit your claim
• What to do if you have any questions

You can watch the video here: [as below]

Once you have submitted your claim, ATOL will process it and let you know the outcome.

If your claim is successful, you will receive a refund for your holiday.

If your claim is unsuccessful, ATOL will let you know why and what your options are.

Here are some additional tips for making an ATOL claim:

• Make sure you have all the information you need before you start the process.
• Be patient. It may take some time for ATOL to process your claim.
• If you have any questions, please contact ATOL directly.

We hope this blog post has been helpful. 

Please note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.

Additional resources:

• https://www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection/
• https://www.atol.org/atol-failures/
• https://www.atol.org/claims/i-want-to-make-a-claim/
• Chargeback OR Credit Card s75 refund rights - Which? and Citizen Advice

What is ATOL protection?:

A helpful video from ATOL talking you through how to make an ATOL claim using the ATOL portal:

Sun, Scams, and Summer Holidays: Don't Let Fraud Ruin Your Break!

Summer's just around the corner, and the lure of sun-drenched beaches and exotic adventures is strong. But before you dive headfirst into those tempting online holiday deals, hold your horses! New figures from Action Fraud reveal a worrying trend: holiday fraud is still costing Brits millions.

Last year alone, over £11 million was lost to scammers preying on eager holidaymakers. While this is a slight dip from the previous year, the average loss per victim remains shockingly high, around £1,844. That's a significant chunk of change that could have been spent on making memories, not chasing phantom holidays.

The Temptation Trap: Beware of "Too Good To Be True" Deals

Action Fraud has launched a crucial campaign, urging us to be extra vigilant. Scammers are experts at creating enticing offers, often found on social media and less reputable websites. These deals might seem irresistible, but they're often designed to lure you in and steal your hard-earned cash.

Protect Yourself: Your Holiday Hero Checklist

So, how can you ensure your dream holiday doesn't turn into a nightmare? Here's your essential guide:

• Do Your Homework: Before booking, thoroughly research the travel company. Check online reviews and see if anyone you trust has used them before.
• Look for the Logos: Legitimate travel companies will display logos from recognised organisations like ABTA, ABTOT, or ATOL. Verify their membership using these links:
  • ABTA: https://www.abta.com
  • ABTOT: https://www.abtot.com/abtot-members-directory/
  • ATOL: https://www.atol.org
• Pay Smart: Use a credit card whenever possible. It offers extra protection under the Consumer Credit Act.
• Keep it Minimal: Only provide necessary details at checkout. Avoid creating unnecessary accounts.
• Strengthen Your Security: Use strong, unique passwords for your email and enable two-step verification.
• Spot the Red Flags: Be cautious of unbelievably cheap offers. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Report suspicious emails to: SERS
• Stay Informed: Learn more about fraud prevention at: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk

Act Fast if You've Been Scammed

If you've unfortunately fallen victim to holiday fraud, don't panic. Take these steps immediately:

• Contact your bank to stop any further transactions.
• Report the fraud to Action Fraud:
  • Online: actionfraud.police.uk
  • Phone: 0300 123 2040 (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland)
  • In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

Don't let fraudsters steal your summer joy. By staying vigilant and following these tips, you can book your holiday with confidence and look forward to a well-deserved break.

Source: Action Fraud (24-02-2025)

Action Fraud - Stop-Holiday-Fraud