Simon Calder has issued an urgent warning to anyone planning to book a holiday, highlighting the prevalence of scammers using social media to advertise fake deals during peak season. The travel expert appeared on GB News to share his advice.
Scammers Target Holidaymakers on Social Media
The 70-year-old urged caution when encountering holiday packages or flights that appear significantly cheaper than similar offers elsewhere. Speaking to presenters Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello, Calder said: "Any travel purchase is an act of faith. You put up hundreds or thousands of pounds up front, but you only actually take delivery when you turn up at the airport and hope that your trip is going ahead. That makes travel a favourite target for scammers and social media allows them to run riot. They can contact people on email, they can use various social media platforms."
Calder emphasised that when times are tight financially, a sudden apparent bargain—such as a Mediterranean holiday or a flight to Los Angeles at far lower prices than elsewhere—could be a scam. "That could be somebody about to steal your hard earned dream, as well as your money," he added.
Advice for Safe Booking
Offering practical advice, Calder suggested that anyone looking to purchase a flight or holiday package should consult a travel agent to verify legitimacy. "It's well worth going and talking to a real human travel agent to find out whether there is a flight available at that price or whether it's just a scam. There's a lot to be said for talking to trusted travel professionals," he said.
For those who prefer to book online, Calder highlighted a simple solution: paying with a credit card. "That means that if it turns out that the person you're paying has no intention or is unable to supply the trip you think you've booked, you'll be able to contact your card provider and ask for your money back," he explained.
Beware of Bank Transfer Requests
Calder warned that if a seller asks for payment via bank transfer, consumers should be "very afraid." While acknowledging that bank transfers can be appropriate in certain circumstances, he said being specifically asked to pay that way should raise concerns, likening it to "handing someone you've never met before a big bag of your hard earned cash." He added: "Once you've told your bank to make a transfer of your money, that's the last you've seen of it, so do lots of due diligence."
