Consumers face increased risks from holiday scams targeting last-minute travel deals. Fraudsters use fake websites, online adverts, and social media to deceive holidaymakers.
Payments by bank transfer often lead to disappearing websites, leaving victims without bookings. FraudSmart’s Scamchecker.ie tool helps verify the legitimacy of travel websites. AA Ireland survey shows 71.5pc of Irish holidaymakers plan overseas trips in 2025.
Niamh Davenport shared: “Travel scams can be incredibly convincing and often appear on fake and copycat websites featuring logos and layouts that closely mimic well-known brands. However, there are red flags that consumers can look out for, such as being asked to pay by bank transfer or being pressurised to act quickly. If you pause before you pay, it can make the difference between the holiday of a lifetime or a holiday disaster. While it’s encouraging that many do get cover eventually, leaving it to the last minute is a gamble.”
