Connor Campbell, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet, shares his expert advice on the key signs you should know to avoid being scammed while claiming compensation.

“During the pandemic, travellers were warned of a proliferation of fake travel companies threatening to retain offering refunds and/or compensation for cancelled trips, while secretly stealing personal information - and people should continue to be wary of this during the surge of flight cancellations.

“Often, scams occur when holidaymakers are contacted by criminals purporting to be from travel companies, tour operators and insurers offering to refund or rebook cancelled holidays.

“Other ways scammers will trick people is by setting up fake websites and offering refunds and compensation to holidaymakers.

“Normally, the fake websites or phone numbers appear when people search online for flights.

“Red flags can include booking the flight through the website or over the phone, but when you receive the confirmation email it’s clear that you didn’t get a proper flight ticket.

“Another scenario that can occur is booking a flight on a travel website offering deals and paying with your credit card. After paying, you receive a phone call from the company saying that there’s been a sudden price increase and you need to pay an extra fee to finalise your booking.

“This is an immediate red flag you and a legitimate company wouldn’t do this, meaning you are being scammed.

“To avoid being scammed in the first place, before making any purchases make sure you conduct research on a company you come across which you are not familiar with.

“It is important you double-check the URL before you enter personal or payment information. Normally, secure links start with “https:/” and include a lock icon on the purchase page.

“Always be wary of third-party websites and you should always be suspicious of websites that don’t have an available customer service number and no physical address.

“When making an online purchase, you should use a credit card instead of a debit card or your bank account- as fraudulent charges made on a credit card can usually be disputed.

“When it comes to claiming compensation if you receive an email purporting to be sent by a CAA representative, delete it straight away! The CAA advises affected passengers to contact their airline in the first instance.

“If your flight has been cancelled, check the airline's terms and conditions. Whilst most airlines will provide a refund or an alternative flight, some may also provide assistance during the disruption.

“Also, remember to check your travel insurance as this may cover you for the cost of accommodation and other additional expenses.

“When it comes to protecting your money, never send your personal, credit card or banking details in an email or over the phone, as scammers can use your details to commit identity fraud or steal your money.

“If you ever feel unsure whether you have received a legitimate request, call the airline using contact details from legitimate sources, like through an internet search and telephone directories. Don’t rely on the contact details provided to you in an email or through the phone.”

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum