Making a clean break

FIVE-MINUTE GUIDE TO... BOOKING A SAFE SUMMER GETAWAY

- By Harvey Jones

YOUR annual summer getaway should be one of the year’s highlights, unless you get burned by a dodgy travel firm or fake website before you even hit the sun.

Millions book their holidays online but risk getting tricked by scam travel sites offering deals that are literally too good to be true.

Some may be shaky businesses, others could be outright fraudsters.

So whether you’re hunting for a dream villa in Spain or a cheap flight deal to Florida, you need to keep a cool head when booking your trip away.

Kate Delaney, a trust expert at Trustpilot, said a little research goes a long way. “If you're ever in doubt about which travel company to book with, check whether they're members of industry bodies like ATOL or ABTA.”

ATOL and ABTA membership gives you financial protection if the company goes bust. But there are other signs to look for too.