We have previously reported on the dangers of booking caravan holidays via online places such as Facebook and Gumtree. Various scam have left very disappointed families arriving at their holiday destination only to find that no booking had been made for them at the caravan park.
Obviously there is the financial pain caused by the scams, but more than this, for some people there is the emotional trauma that ensues. Can you imagine trying to explain to the kids what has happened and the car drive back home ‘holiday-less’? So what can be done about it?
Well, the key is obviously not to get caught out in the first place. Once you have been scammed the ‘horse has bolted’, and the chances of getting any financial recompense are minimal, and compensation for emotional trauma practically non-existent.
So, how do you avoid getting caught out? Below is a brief set of tips to help you avoid being scammed, and please note they apply to any and all online transactions that you enter into, not just booking caravan holidays in the UK. These tips are not specific to Facebook or Gumtree (see paragraph below tips).
- Never pay directly into an owner’s bank account. Paying by direct bank transfer is like paying by cash – the money cannot be traced and is not refundable. Where possible, pay by credit card or a debit card that offers protection.
- You can verify membership of the company you are dealing with at ABTA online if they claim to be a member. Or, they may claim to be affiliated to another body which can be checked.
- Read reviews of the accommodation or company. People who have been defrauded are likely to have posted warnings online. But, also be aware that reviews are not always what they seem, they should always be viewed as what they are, a collection of words that could have been posted by anyone, so use your ‘nous’.
- Check the website address is legitimate and has not been altered by slight changes to a domain name – such as going from .co.uk to .org.
- Study invoices and the terms and conditions. Be very wary of companies that do not provide any.
- Use your instincts. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Obviously with Facebook and Gumtree checking personal ads is going to be more problematic, and perhaps the golden rule should be ‘if in doubt, leave it out!’. Personal recommendations can be a good thing in these situations, as long as they are personal to you, i.e. someone you know. A scammer who has the ability to manipulate people via Gumtree or Facebook will doubtless also have the guile required to also direct you to false reviews or recommendations.
Having said all the above, despite a growth in online fraud, it can usually be avoided by following the tips and if in doubt, simply go with one of the big operators such as Park Resorts, peace of mind is priceless when it comes to your hard earned holiday! (More).
By: Gareth Whieldon
