Top winter travel scams to watch out for

You’ve been counting down the days for your winter getaway, but then – bam – a scam hits you like a snowstorm and ruins everything.

As you gear up for a well-deserved New Year’s break, scammers are out in full force, getting smarter with each passing year.

Don’t let them catch you off guard.

Here’s the top winter travel scams to look out for and how you can protect yourself.

Counterfeit ski gear

Heading to the slopes? Don’t let scammers fool you into buying fake ski gear. With so many deals online, it's tempting to snap up a ‘bargain.’ But beware, counterfeit ski equipment is rampant this time of year.

Scammers often sell cheap knockoffs of trusted brands like Salomon and Rossignol and while the price may seem too good to pass up, these ‘bargains’ can leave you freezing and miserable because they don’t keep the water out.

How to avoid buying fake gear:

• Stick to reputable stores.
• Always check reviews and avoid sellers with bad feedback.
• Be suspicious of unusually low prices.
• Find out where the item is shipping from. If it’s vague or takes forever to arrive, that’s a red flag.
• Never trust ads on social media. Always go directly to the store’s website.
• When your gear arrives, check for poor quality, badly printed logos, missing invoices, and suspicious packaging.

Fake rental listings

Planning to rent a cosy chalet or ski gear for your trip? Fake rental listings are a big problem in the winter. You might pay for a beautiful place, only to show up and find it’s not even there, or someone else is already staying there.

How to avoid rental scams:

• Check multiple reviews from different users.
• Look at the host’s profile carefully.
• Stick to trusted platforms like Airbnb.
• Watch out for strange URLs (website address) or slight changes to legit website names, as scammers often copy real listings to trick you.

Fake travel agents

Some scammers pose as travel agents, creating convincing websites with ‘too good to be true’ deals. Once you hand over your money, they either disappear or send you fake tickets.

How to spot a fake travel agent:

• Be cautious if the agent only provides an email and doesn’t have a physical address or phone number. Call them before you pay, or better yet, visit their office.
• If they pressure you to make a quick decision, say you’ll think about it then go and research them.
• Check if they’re registered with ABTA (the UK’s association of travel agents). Check ABTA membership here.
• Avoid paying with cash or cryptocurrency. Instead, pay with debit or credit card. Though remember, credit cards offer better protection and less fraud liability compared to debt cards.

Travel phishing scams

Scammers often send fake emails, pretending to be trusted travel companies, offering deals on flights, hotels, or tours. They want you to click on links and hand over your bank info.

How to avoid travel phishing scams:

• Never click on links from unknown sources.
• Be suspicious of unsolicited emails.
• Don’t book or pay for anything until you’ve verified the deal and read the terms.
• Always ask for cancellation and refund policies before you commit.

What to do if you’re a victim of travel fraud:

• If you believe you’ve been a victim of travel fraud, or been contacted by a fraudster, report the incident to Action Fraud.
• Write reviews about your experience online, to help prevent more people becoming victims.
• Contact your bank straight away to let them know what’s happened. They will advise you on what to do about getting a refund.

For more information on online scams and outsmarting scammers, visit our handy guide.