Lookout for holiday accommodation scams: SAPS warns holidaymakers

Holiday accommodation scams are popular this time of year according to the South African Police Service (SAPS). Their latest post on X, formerly known as Twitter, urges holidaymakers to be cautious when booking accommodations for the festive season. With the long Christmas weekend approaching, those who are making last-minute bookings should take extra caution before finalising their arrangements. Holidaymakers are warned to not fall for suspicious last-minute deals and fake vacation rental listings.

Along with the word of caution, SAPS provided tips for holidaymakers to stay safe. We rounded up some tips, as well as other steps you can take to avoid being scammed this festive season.

Who is targeted by holiday accommodation scams?

The SAPS states that holiday accommodation scams are prevalent this time of year due to many travellers seeking affordable last-minute bookings. As published by Property24, scammers use sophisticated tools to target people who are looking for last-minute deals. It may be tempting to grab these discounted deals if you need accommodation urgently for the holidays, but if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

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What are some popular holiday accommodation scams?

Holiday accommodation scammers tend to use fake vacation rental listings. They can create fake advertisements on social media or even websites that look similar to reputable agencies. SAPS advisers holidaymakers to check the legitimacy of the listing before making any payment. You can contact your local tourism office to confirm if the accommodation is legit.

Use a reputable agency

If you are in a hurry to book your holiday, it may be tempting to use social media but these listings can be fake. It’s best to use reputable letting agencies as they often do background checks on owners of the property or accommodation. Call the agency directly to confirm a listing.

Research the location

Always research the location before you confirm a booking. Is there a legitimate address? Don’t rely on pictures of the accommodation alone as these may be misleading. If a website of the accommodation is available, check these carefully. You can also look online for user reviews. If you can’t find any information on the rental, it’s likely a scam.

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Lookout for suspicious websites

Some scammers may mimic legitimate agency websites. Double-check the website you are visiting. Look out for misspelt words or domain names. Avoid clicking on any email links that you receive even if it seems to open a legitimate website.

Check their payment methods

Be aware of listings that ask for large cash deposits to secure your accommodation. Avoid bookings that offer suspicious payment channels, for example, cash-only payments or those who use money transfer agents or mobile wallets. Payment should be made with a debit or credit card for you to get your money back if something goes wrong.

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