Summer Scam: Top Tips to Avoid It

Scams in the tourism and holiday sector are increasing in Italy, putting consumers who want to book a trip, flight or stay at risk. non-profit consumerism, a non-profit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy, has published some practical advice to help people protect themselves from these scams. It’s important to be aware of how scammers operate and take preventive measures to avoid falling into their trap.

What are the most common scams?

One of the most common scams when booking a holiday online is that of fake housing ads. Scammers create attractive offers with pictures and descriptions of properties that do not exist or are not available for rent. They ask prospective renters to pay in advance to book the accommodation and then disappear with the money. To avoid this, it is recommended to research the service providers thoroughly and use reputable and secure accommodation booking websites.

Another common scam is fake travel websites. Scammers create websites that appear to be legitimate travel agencies offering incredibly cheap flights, vacation packages, and accommodation. However, once payment is made, consumers never receive a reservation or later find out they paid for services that weren’t there. It is important that you carefully check a travel site’s reputation and trustworthiness before making any payments.

Phishing and email scams are another threat. Scammers send fake emails that appear to be from legitimate airlines, hotels, or travel agencies. These emails may ask for personal or financial information, click malicious links, or make payments to confirm a reservation. Responding to such emails may result in theft of personal or financial information. It is important to be on the lookout for suspicious emails, avoid sharing sensitive information in insecure emails, and contact travel companies or hotels directly to verify the legitimacy of the communication.

Unsolicited phone offers are another possible scam. Scammers call people, offer great trips or prices, and demand immediate payment to secure the reservation or cover administrative costs. These offers can be totally fake and consumers risk losing their money without receiving any service. It’s important to exercise caution and not give out any personal or financial information when making unsolicited calls.

How to protect yourself from fraud

To protect yourself from these scams, we advise you to be careful and research service providers thoroughly, use secure and reliable websites for bookings, avoid sharing sensitive information via unsafe emails, and watch out for offers that seem too good to be true. In addition, it is advisable to use secure and traceable payment methods to prevent any financial fraud.

It’s important to remember Consumer rights in the travel and vacation industry are protected by various laws and regulations, such as the Consumer Protection Act. These rights include the right to receive clear and complete information about the services provided, including details of flights, accommodation, transport and other services, as well as the right to timely changes and alternative options in the event of significant changes to the booking. In the event of longer delays, cancellations or non-contractual services, there is a right to support and financial compensation.