How to spot a fake travel website

Found a great holiday deal that looks almost too good to miss? Before you enter your details or make a payment, take a few minutes to check the website is genuine.

Many fake travel websites can look surprisingly convincing. Fraudsters may copy company names, logos, photos and other branding, so it’s important to look beyond appearances.

One of the simplest ways to protect yourself when booking a holiday is to check whether the company is genuinely offering ATOL protection before you book.

Here are some of the key warning signs to look out for.

1. Check the website address carefully

Fake websites can use addresses that look very similar to genuine travel companies.

Look out for:

• Misspelled company names
• Extra letters, words or symbols
• Unexpected domain endings (rather than .co.uk or .com)
• A web address that doesn’t match the company’s official details

If you already know which travel company you want to use, search for its website yourself rather than following a link in an unexpected email, text or social media post.

2. Don’t assume a professional-looking website is genuine

A polished website isn’t proof that the company behind it is legitimate. Steer clear if a website’s domain is not currently listed on the Check an ATOL result for the ATOL holder named on the website.

Fraudsters can very cleverly copy logos, images and other content from genuine travel businesses, making fake websites difficult to spot at first glance.

You may also see a padlock symbol next to the web address. This shows that the connection to the website is encrypted and secure, but it doesn’t guarantee that the business itself is genuine.

3. Check any claims about ATOL protection

If a travel company says your trip will be ATOL protected, check this independently before you book.

Use our Check for ATOL tool and make sure the details you find match the company you’re dealing with.

Check:

• The company or trading name
• The ATOL number
• The website address
• Which ATOL holder is protecting your trip

Don’t rely on an ATOL logo displayed on a website by itself. If something doesn’t match, stop before paying and investigate further.

4. Compare the price with other providers

Everyone loves a bargain, but an unusually cheap holiday can be a reason to do a few extra checks.

Try searching for the same or a similar trip elsewhere and compare the prices. A lower price doesn’t automatically mean a website is fake, but if the difference seems unusually large, don’t let the pressure of a limited-time deal rush you into paying.

5. Check how you’re being asked to pay

The way a company asks you to pay can provide another clue about whether something’s wrong.
Be cautious if you’re:

• Asked to pay by bank transfer or cash
• Told to send money to a personal bank account
• Given payment details that keep changing
• Pressured to pay immediately
• Asked to use a payment method you weren’t expecting

Where possible, consider paying by credit card and always make sure you’re confident you’re dealing with the genuine company before entering your details.

6. Do a quick search for the travel company

If you’ve never heard of the company before, spend a few minutes researching it before you book.

Take a look at:

• Independent search results
• Customer reviews from more than one source
• The company’s contact details
• Whether its website and business details are consistent
• Any travel accreditations it claims to hold

Reviews can be useful, but don’t rely on them alone. Look at the overall picture and whether the company’s details add up.

You can find more advice in our Holiday Fraud guidance.

7. Be careful with unexpected links, adverts and calls

Holiday deals can pop up in your inbox, text messages and social media feeds, but don’t assume a link is safe just because the advert looks professional.

If you weren’t expecting the message, it’s safer to search for the company yourself rather than clicking straight through.

This is particularly important if the message is urging you to act quickly or warning that the deal is about to disappear.

You should also watch out for unsolicited phone calls offering flights if you’ve recently been searching on a particular website and you’ve entered your number during your search.

8. Read the small print

Before you book, check that the website gives you clear information about what you’re buying and who you’re buying it from.

Look for:

• Clear contact details
• Booking terms and conditions
• Cancellation and amendment information
• Details of what’s included in the price
• Information about who is responsible for your booking

Missing information, unclear wording or details that contradict each other are all reasons to pause.

9. Check our ‘websites to avoid’ list

If you’re unsure about a travel website, check ATOL’s websites to avoid list.

It includes websites that have falsely claimed to hold an ATOL or offer ATOL protection.

Remember, a website not appearing on the list doesn’t automatically mean it’s genuine. You should still carry out the other checks above before booking.

10. Know what to do if you think a website is fake

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t keep going just because you’ve already spent time choosing the holiday.

If you think a travel website is fake:

• Don’t enter any more personal or payment details
• Don’t make a payment
• Report false ATOL claims to ATOL
• Report suspicious websites through the appropriate fraud or cyber security channels

If you’ve already paid or shared financial information, contact your bank as soon as possible.

Report the fraud through the appropriate national reporting service.

You can find more information in our Reporting travel related fraud guidance.