Holidaymakers are being urged to stay vigilant after research revealed that one in eight Britons believe they have fallen victim to a travel-related scam while on holiday, with the average victim losing £182.
Booking.com research has exposed how travellers are becoming increasingly vulnerable to scams, particularly when abroad. One in four holidaymakers admit they lower their guard and are less cautious about scams when travelling, making them easy targets for criminals.
QR code 'quishing' on the rise
Among the most common scams are fake goods and counterfeit attractions, but a newer threat is gaining prominence. As many as three million UK holidaymakers have already reported encountering 'dodgy' QR codes abroad, a practice known as 'quishing'. Scammers use fake QR codes to steal personal information from travellers.
Some 14 million Brits admit they are more likely to scan QR codes when they are away from home. Restaurant tables and cafe menus are a main target for these fraudulent codes, as they are commonly used for ordering and payment. QR codes are also found at parking meters and tolls, where travellers may feel pressured to pay quickly to avoid a ticket. Airports and transit stations are a third common target, with scams often occurring when travellers are in a hurry.
Warning signs and safety advice
Despite the pressure, holidaymakers are being urged to slow down and think twice before scanning. If a code asks for payment, passwords, ID documents or personal information, travellers should inspect it for red flags such as raised corners or air bubbles, peeling edges or crooked placement, a sticker placed over another code, or mismatched colours.
For those who believe they have been 'quished', advice from The Planet D includes closing the page immediately, not downloading unfamiliar apps or files from a QR code, contacting your bank if credit card information was entered, changing passwords if any details were provided, watching for follow-up messages, and reporting the fake QR code so it can be removed.
Taking an extra second to inspect these codes can help stop scammers. Stay alert, scan smart and keep holiday memories happy.
