Travellers have been warned of online holiday scams. Picture: Supplied
AUSTRALIAN travellers have reported losses of over $250,000 in internet scams already this year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says.
More than 100 travel-related complaints have flooded in to the watchdog with fake rental listings, bogus holiday vouchers and hackers the most common issues.
The sheer number of cases has prompted the ACCC to warn travellers to be cautious when booking their winter getaways, particularly if the deal seems too good to be true.
Revealed: The worst travel scams ever
"While you're making holiday plans, scammers are plotting to steal your hard-earned dollars," ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
"Our most commonly reported travel scam comes from holidaymakers finding that discount accommodation vouchers they paid for don't arrive, are fakes or simply can't be used as promised."
Scammers have also been hacking into popular travel websites to access email inquiries and then assume the identity of the property owner, prompting customers to make fake bookings.
Claire (real name withheld) was one of the victims of such scams. She had been making inquiries on travel websites for Bali hotel deals and received a voucher via email for a heavily discounted luxury resort. At $1200 for 10 nights, it was a good deal. She paid using international funds transfer and booked her flights, but when she arrived in Bali the hotel had no knowledge of her booking.
Travel website Stayz is one of the sites that has been hit by a series of scams in recent months, with cyber criminals altering the details of listings on the Fairfax site.
Last August a scam targeted users of TripAdvisor's FlipKey service, where the owner's email account was hacked and fake contracts were made.
The ACCC advises travellers to take care when booking a deal.
"Before booking your holiday, do your homework by contacting the company directly using details that you have sourced independently through the phone book or an online search. Often scammers have no arrangements with the accommodation providers to offer discount stays," Ms Rickard said.
"Don't trust the legitimacy of an ad just because it appears in a reputable newspaper or online classifieds website as scammers often use these. If you receive an email out of the blue from a stranger offering a great holiday deal, delete it and do not click on any links or open attachments.
"Always keep your computer security up to date with anti-virus and anti-spyware software and a good firewall. If you think you have provided your financial details or sent money to a scammer, contact your financial institution immediately."
Have you been the victim of a travel scam? Contact Kate.Schneider@news.com.au
Follow our Travel Editor and Travel Reporter on Twitter.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét