‘I’m a TSB scam expert – beware of cruel trick costing holidaymakers £981’ | Personal Finance | Finance

A scam expert from TSB has issued a warning to holidaymakers this summer. Fraudsters are using a cruel trick to con people out of an average of £981 when they book their holidays.

Richard Daniels, the director of fraud and financial crime operations at TSB, is urging Brits to be careful while booking last-minute getaways this year. He said that, according to the UK Finance’s Annual Fraud Report, a total of £576.4 million was stolen by criminals through authorised push payment (APP) fraud last year. This method sees people tricked into paying cash directly to a fraudster. Mr Daniels outlined one particular method that scammers use to target people booking holidays.

People have been urged to be “wary of ‘special offers'” on social media, as such offers are often scams. Instead, Mr Daniels recommends always booking holidays through recognised travel companies and booking platforms. The fraud expert explained: “Where possible, book through reputable travel companies or recognised booking platforms and avoid making any payments outside their official systems. Be wary of ‘special offers,’ on social media – highly likely to be scams.

“Before you book, take the time to research the accommodation, compare reviews from different sources and check that the property exists. If a deal looks significantly cheaper than similar options, it’s worth doing some more research to make sure it’s genuine.”

TSB data shows that victims of holiday scams lost an average of £981 each during the first half of this year. Others claim to have arrived at their destination to find their booking didn’t exist.

Mr Daniels added: “In some of the worst cases, families and holidaymakers can arrive at their ‘booking’ only to discover it simply doesn’t exist!

“If you’re contacted unexpectedly about an existing booking, don’t use the links or phone numbers in the message. Always contact the travel company directly using the details on its official website.”

Mr Daniels has also warned against music and sporting event ticket scams. He explained how opportunistic fraudsters capitalise on popular events to con people out of cash.

Mr Daniels said: “They typically advertise tickets on social media, online marketplaces and unofficial resale sites, using fake profiles, convincing confirmation emails or screenshots to make listings appear genuine before asking for payment by bank transfer. Once the payment has been made, the seller may disappear or the tickets may turn out to be fake, duplicated or invalid.

“TSB data shows customers who fell victim to ticket scams lost an average of £196 in the first half of 2026; so, these are significant sums, leaving people out of pocket and shut out of their gig, or concert.”

Like holiday bookings, he recommends always buying tickets from official sites. Those who opt for resale platforms, such as Viagogo, should always keep their communication and payment within the platform.

The expert explained: “It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and rush of securing sought-after tickets, but taking a moment to pause and look out for any warning signs can help you avoid falling victim to a scam.

“If you think you’ve been scammed, you should contact your bank as soon as possible.”

Mr Daniels’ final warning relates to shopping safely this summer. Whether it’s a BBQ, a camper van or deck chairs, he urges people to take caution when buying online.

He explained: “Fraudsters often advertise items that don’t exist and encourage buyers to pay by bank transfer. Where possible, try to verify the item in person before you pay, rather than relying on photos or messages.”

Data shows that purchase scams are one of the biggest types of APP fraud. In 2025, they accounted for more than 70% of cases, totally losses of £118.1 million.

He added: “So, take your time this summer – a moment’s check can be the difference between a fraudster stealing your money, and dashing your holiday dream. Don’t let a fraudster rain on your summer.”