Easter Holidays: Experts reveal how to avoid travel scams

Scammers take advantage of travellers trying to find good deals and quick breaks, seeing many lose out on money.

However, fraud experts have revealed some simple ways to avoid scams and make your holiday-hunting much safer.

With that said, here is how you can avoid travel scams according to the experts over at Proxyrack.

(Canva) Here are 8 ways to avoid travel scams (Image: Canva)

Here are 8 ways to avoid travel scams ahead of the Easter and summer holidays

Here is how to avoid travel scams, according to security experts: 

Verify the security of the website in your browser

Fake travel companies can often look very professional, making them hard to spot.

However, users can tell if a site is legitimate or not by clicking the padlock icon to the left of the URL, this will show whether or not there is a security certificate.

Thoroughly check the website's URL

Scam travel websites sometimes replicate reputable sites using domain tricks such as adding or removing letters from the address.

So if there are characters missing or added such as when scammers use 'https://' instead of 'http://', then it is likely fraudulent.

Avoid paying with digital currency

Dishonest actors are known to encourage customers to pay with wire transfers, prepaid cards or cryptocurrency instead of with a credit card.

Don’t be lured away from trusted sites for payment

Travel fraudsters like to divert customers from legitimate sources, requesting payment on separate external sites.

They usually do this by promising better rates for using the new platform.

(Canva) Scammers will often try and get you to pay using alternative currencies (Image: Canva)

Avoid clicking email links

Some so-called travel sites will use unsolicited emails with click-through links to capture unsuspecting user credentials.

You should avoid clicking any emails promising free tickets, points or warning that there is an issue with your flight.

Look out for social media advertisements scams

Scammers also use social media to peddle their dishonest businesses which is why it is important to verify accounts such as by checking if they have a blue checkmark.

Don't be rushed into booking

Scammers often use urgent language to pressure travellers into making impulse purchases which is why you should take your time when booking a holiday.

Cover your steps

When making an online booking, it's worth calling the company afterwards to confirm the transaction.

If there is no record of your booking, you'll be able to alert your bank quickly.