How to spot a booking scam

Stay alert to fraudsters and their cunning new ways to grab your cash

- BY CAMILLA FOSTER

Holiday scams are on the rise and people are being warned to stay on their guard. Especially as the average amount lost when booking has risen to £1,937, a study by Airbnb and Get Safe Online has found.

Some of the most common scams in the UK involved getaway bookings, following credit card fraud and phishing - giving away your personal details. Here's how to spot if you're being conned before you click confirm.

Beware of social media 'dream holiday' giveaways

You may have come across alluring luxury holiday giveaway posts on your social media feed but they're often too good to be true.

"Scammers use these to collect personal data and can also spread malware," says Gavin Lapidus, director of eShores, a team of leading travel consultants. "Always verify the legitimacy of competitions and never share personal information on public posts."

Look at the reviews

Reviews can be a good indicator of whether a website is legitimate.