Fake Event Travel Package Scams via Phone Calls
How callers sell sports, concert, or festival travel packages over the phone, collecting full payment for flights, hotels, and event tickets that are fraudulent or do not exist.
Part of: Fake Event Travel Package Scams
Last reviewed: 9 June 2026
Event travel packages — combining flights, accommodation, and event tickets for major sports fixtures, concerts, or festivals — represent a high-value, high-emotion purchase. Phone sales for these packages are effective because the excitement around the event overcomes caution, and the verbal description of the package (premium seats, hotel proximity, exclusive access) is easy to present compellingly without the written scrutiny that an online order would invite.
Fraudulent operators in this space understand that buyers often make these purchases emotionally and at speed, particularly for events with high demand. Tickets are sold as scarce, package availability is limited, and payment is needed now.
How this scam works on phone calls
A caller reaches out to a potential buyer — often identified through interest in a forthcoming event on social media or through data targeting — and presents an event travel package with compelling verbal specifications. Full payment is required upfront to secure the limited spots. Confirmation documents arrive by email looking convincing, with plausible hotel and flight details and realistic-looking event tickets.
As the event approaches, complications arise: flights change, hotel allocations are unclear, or tickets are described as being held at the venue for collection. Buyers arrive at events to find tickets are invalid, hotels have no reservation, or flights were never booked. By this point, the phone operator's line is disconnected.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call about a travel package for a specific upcoming event you recently searched or discussed
- Package priced significantly below equivalent offerings from authorised travel companies
- Payment required in full immediately to secure availability
- Confirmation documents have generic templates without verifiable supplier reference numbers
- Hotels and airlines cannot confirm the reservation when called directly
- Operator cannot provide ABTA or ATOL registration number (UK)
How to protect yourself
- Purchase event travel packages only from ABTA/ATOL-registered operators (UK) or equivalent regulated agents
- Verify hotel and flight bookings directly with suppliers before the event
- Pay by credit card for purchase protection and detailed statement records
- Never make full payment immediately on a cold call — request written confirmation first
- Cross-check package prices against published rates from known travel companies
How to report it
- Report to ABTA or ATOL if the operator claimed membership (UK)
- Report to Action Fraud (UK) or the FTC (US)
- File a chargeback with your card issuer for non-delivery of booked services
Frequently asked questions
The operator sent hotel and flight confirmation numbers that look valid — should I trust them?
Call the hotel and airline directly using those reference numbers to confirm the booking exists in their own system — confirmation numbers on documents the seller provides prove nothing until verified independently.
Is it a bad sign if the package is only available by calling back within 24 hours?
Yes — a hard deadline on a high-value, multi-part travel package specifically to prevent you from researching the operator or comparing prices is a classic high-pressure sales tactic used by scams and aggressive legitimate sellers alike.
What should I do if the event is happening in a few days and I suspect this was a scam?
Contact your card issuer immediately to flag the potential fraud, and separately try to book verified accommodation and any available tickets directly through official channels rather than waiting for the operator to respond.
How can I tell if an event travel package offer is genuine?
Ask for the ABTA or ATOL certificate number, check it on the relevant regulatory website, and call the hotel and airline directly with the booking references provided. Genuine operators welcome this verification.
If I paid by credit card and the package was fraudulent, can I get my money back?
Credit card purchases are covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act (UK) for amounts over £100, and by chargeback schemes more broadly. Contact your card issuer and explain the non-delivery to initiate the dispute.