If you have a holiay boooked, take extra caution
Spring is here and for many that means one thing: a well-deserved holiday. Whether you’re planning one or already have it booked, it’s wise to be cautious.
For example, if someone calls claiming to be from Nationwide about payment issues or a refund, don’t just take their word – check the app, because it could be a scam.
Nationwide customers can quickly verify calls using the Call Checker feature. Working alongside the existing Scam Checker service, Call Checker instantly confirms a call’s authenticity through the Nationwide app, helping customers stay secure.
How to check you’re talking to Nationwide
- Open the app
- Tap “More”
- Tap “Call Checker”
- The screen will show either “You’re on a call with [name]” or “You’re not on a call with us.”
Which holiday scams should I look out for?
Scammers will take any chance they can to steal your money. With the holiday season approaching, they might call claiming to be your bank, saying a travel insurance payment has failed, a monthly holiday payment is overdue, or that you’re due a refund.
These messages are designed to create urgency, making you worry about your holiday, and in the rush, you could hand over your details without thinking. In fact, Nationwide reveal that “25% of younger people (25-34) would call back an unknown number – a risky move scammers rely on.”
Lloyds holiday scams
Nationwide is not the only bank to warn customers about scams. According to Lloyds Bank, there are several scams to watch out for. This includes:
Fake accommodation
If you find a cheap holiday home, be careful before booking, especially if someone pressures you to pay by bank transfer. Choose companies that are ABTA or ATOL protected, or pay with a method that offers buyer protection, like a credit card.
When using Airbnb or Booking.com, pay only through their platform. Don’t send money directly to the host. If you get emails saying your payment wasn’t received, confirm through the site before taking action.
Cancellations
Fraudsters take advantage of flight or accommodation cancellations to steal your details. If someone contacts you claiming to be a “refund agent”, be suspicious and always use the official website or contact the company directly before giving any personal information.
Fake tickets
Be cautious of unusually cheap flight deals as fraudsters sometimes sell tickets that don’t exist. They may ask for extra fees, but once you pay, they disappear.
Book flights only through ABTA or ATOL-protected companies. If you get emails about missing payments, contact the provider directly before paying anything.
Giveaways
Be careful with social media giveaways as scammers may pretend to be a brand, ask you to share a post, and then contact you claiming you’ve won. They’ll try to get your personal info or card details, so always check the brand’s official website. If the giveaway isn’t there, it’s likely a scam.
Is it really a message from Lloyds?
Just like Nationwide, Lloyds customers can also protect themselves. The bank stresses that they will “always include your name, and the last four digits of an account you have with us, so you know our emails are genuine. We may also send you links to our secure app, to take you straight to the information you need.”
They will never:
- Send you to a web page that asks for your login, personal or banking details.
- Tell you to move money to another account.
- Ask you to make a test payment online.
- Link directly to its Internet Banking login page.
It adds: “If you’re not sure that an email is from us, forward it to [email protected] and delete it. You can also speak to us through the Mobile Banking app or Internet Banking.”
It also notes that genuine companies won’t “call out of the blue to tell you to move your money.” Encouraging people to hang up, it stresses that the “longer you talk with a fraudster, the more chance they have to trick you into moving your money.”
