Every summer, millions of Brits jet off for their ideal holiday escape, relaxing by the pool and switching off from the daily grind. Booking.com research has exposed how holidaymakers are becoming increasingly vulnerable to scams, particularly when travelling.
It has been reported that one in four of holidaymakers lower their guard and are less cautious of scams when they travel, making them easy targets for scammers. More broadly, one in eight believe they have fallen victim to a travel-related scam at some point on holiday, with the average victim losing £182.
While most of us would be hyper-vigilant about sharing banking details or interacting with strangers on dating apps, we often treat holiday booking sites as ‘safe zones’ – a fatal error that leaves us wide open to sophisticated criminals. Holiday excitement can leave travellers rushing past basic scam checks during the planning stages.
Common scams include fake goods and counterfeit attractions; however, a new threat is becoming more pertinent. A staggering three million UK holidaymakers have already reported ‘dodgy’ QR codes abroad. Known as ‘quishing’, scammers are using fake QR codes to steal personal information from travellers. 14 million Brits already admit they’re more likely to scan QR codes when they’re away.
One of the main targets is restaurant tables and cafe menus for ordering and payment, and it is the easiest travel scam as everyone uses it. QR codes are also common at parking meters and tolls, which can pressurise travellers into paying out of worry to avoid getting a ticket. In these circumstances, a QR code might appear helpful. The third common target is airports and transit stations. Travel scams often happen when travellers are in a hurry.
Although the pressure is on, holidaymakers are being urged to slow down and think twice before scanning. If a code asks for payment, passwords, ID documents or personal information, take a moment to inspect it for these red flags:
Peeling edges or crooked placement
A sticker placed over another code
If you are unlucky enough to be ‘quished ’, The Planet D has some advice:
Do not download an unfamiliar app or file from a QR code
Contact your bank if you entered credit card information
Change passwords if you entered any details
Watch for follow-up messages
Report the fake QR code so it can be removed
By taking an extra second to inspect these codes, you can stop scammers in their tracks. Stay alert, scan smart and keep your holiday memories happy.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
