TSB's director of fraud and financial crime operations, Richard Daniels, has issued a stark warning to holidaymakers about a cruel scam that has cost victims an average of £981 each during the first half of this year. The scam involves fraudsters tricking people into paying for non-existent holiday bookings, often through social media 'special offers'.
APP Fraud Reaches £576.4 Million
According to UK Finance's Annual Fraud Report, a total of £576.4 million was stolen through authorised push payment (APP) fraud last year. This method sees victims tricked into transferring money directly to fraudsters. Daniels highlighted that holiday scams are a growing concern, with TSB data showing significant losses per victim.
Beware of Social Media 'Special Offers'
Daniels urged Brits to be wary of 'special offers' on social media, as these are highly likely to be scams. He recommends always booking through recognised travel companies or official booking platforms. 'Where possible, book through reputable travel companies or recognised booking platforms and avoid making any payments outside their official systems,' he said.
He added: 'Before you book, take the time to research the accommodation, compare reviews from different sources and check that the property exists. If a deal looks significantly cheaper than similar options, it’s worth doing some more research to make sure it's genuine.'
Worst Cases: Families Arrive to Find No Booking
In some instances, victims have arrived at their destination only to discover their booking never existed. Daniels warned: 'In some of the worst cases, families and holidaymakers can arrive at their ‘booking’ only to discover it simply doesn’t exist!' He advised that if contacted unexpectedly about an existing booking, people should not use links or phone numbers in the message but contact the travel company directly via its official website.
Music and Sporting Event Ticket Scams
Daniels also warned about ticket scams for music and sporting events. Opportunistic fraudsters advertise tickets on social media, online marketplaces, and unofficial resale sites, using fake profiles and convincing confirmation emails. They ask for payment by bank transfer, then disappear or provide fake or invalid tickets. TSB data shows customers lost an average of £196 in the first half of 2026 to such scams.
He advised buying tickets from official sites and, when using resale platforms like Viagogo, keeping communication and payment within the platform. 'It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and rush of securing sought-after tickets, but taking a moment to pause and look out for any warning signs can help you avoid falling victim to a scam,' he said. Victims should contact their bank immediately.
Summer Shopping Safety
Daniels' final warning relates to shopping safely this summer. Fraudsters often advertise non-existent items like BBQs, camper vans, or deck chairs and encourage bank transfer payments. 'Where possible, try to verify the item in person before you pay, rather than relying on photos or messages,' he said.
Purchase scams are one of the biggest types of APP fraud. In 2025, they accounted for more than 70% of cases, totalling losses of £118.1 million. Daniels concluded: 'So, take your time this summer – a moment’s check can be the difference between a fraudster stealing your money, and dashing your holiday dream. Don’t let a fraudster rain on your summer.'
