It goes like this: the fake hotel or holiday company create a website or social media page that looks almost identical to the real thing. In the case of P&O cruise liners the scammers had used an upper case 'I' to look like an 'l'.
It's all too easy for fake sites to pass as real ones. Just ask Scottish actor James McAvoy.
Just last week, McAvoy (Atomic Blonde, X-Men) almost handed over hundreds of Euros to pay for a hotel in Tenerife before something told him to check the details.
“I just thought the deal seemed too good to be true," he said.
“I doubled checked it through a travel agent and it was a tenth of the price it should be."
McAvoy was so angry with the scammers he posted a name and shame video on his Instagram account warning other holidaymakers to beware of the ploy.
How Can You Avoid Being Scammed?
The Ritz is part of the Marriott group so any hotels they own will revert through a Marriott web portal. But if you don't know that, well, how would you know?
One way to avoid the con merchants is to avoid the 'Ad' tabs unless the web address is exactly the same as the official site below it.
The website that McAvoy used has been taken down, but there's already another one (www.abamaresort.com) that could potentially be suspect, as the phone number doesn't match the one on the official website.
But who knows?
Use a Registered Travel Agent
If you're concerned about scammers and want to be 100% sure you're booking with a legitimate company, use a travel agent. When you book with an agency like Travel Counsellors you have automatic financial protection – in other words, peace of mind.
Be a Smart Traveller
It's also useful to keep your wits about you once you arrive at your destination. Reports of pick pockets and money changers, who use tactics like distracting you while they're counting your cash, are rife. And scammers are always on the prowl looking for their next victim.
Smarttraveller.gov.au has lots of useful tips for travellers like what to do if your wallet or passport get lost or stolen and suggest taking photocopies or scans of your passport and keeping them in safe place away from the real thing.
It's a shame something as fun as a holiday can be tainted by deceiving companies who are just after your cash, but it's not all bad news. In this case, the old adage if it seems to good to be true is probably a wise rule to live by.
And if you are unlucky enough to get scammed be sure to let people know.