How do I report a travel scam?
Report to the FTC (US) or Action Fraud (UK), to the travel booking platform, and to ABTA or ATOL (UK) or your state attorney general (US). Initiate a chargeback for card payments.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Travel scams include fake booking websites, fraudulent holiday clubs, timeshare resales that never happen, and package tour operators that disappear with deposits. They can occur at the planning stage, during the trip, or in a post-trip 'compensation' scam.
In the US, report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general's consumer protection division. The FTC has taken action against fraudulent travel clubs and timeshare exit companies. For ATOL (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing)-protected packages in the UK, contact ATOL directly at atol.org.uk. ABTA members can be reported to ABTA at abta.com.
Report the fraudulent website or platform using Google Safe Browsing and to the domain registrar. If you booked through a comparison site, report to that site's fraud team as well — they may have verified the operator and could share liability.
If you paid by credit card, initiate a chargeback immediately. For package holidays booked by credit card in the UK over a threshold, Section 75 gives you rights against both the tour operator and the card issuer. Debit card users have chargeback under the Visa or Mastercard dispute process.
Common red flags
- The booking website was registered very recently
- Prices were far below comparable offers on reputable platforms
- Payment was only accepted by bank transfer rather than card
- Confirmation details did not match the accommodation or airline's records
- A phone call offered a holiday prize that required upfront fees
- A timeshare resale agent demanded upfront fees to find a buyer
What to do now
- Report to the FTC or Action Fraud with booking details and receipts
- Initiate a chargeback with your card issuer
- Report to ABTA or ATOL if you are in the UK and the operator claimed membership
- Report the fraudulent website to Google Safe Browsing
- Contact your travel insurer — some policies cover fraud
- See /scams/travel-scams for typical travel fraud patterns
Frequently asked questions
Does travel insurance cover scam bookings?
Some travel insurance policies include a supplier failure clause that covers losses when a booking provider goes into administration or disappears. Check your policy carefully; straightforward fraud may be excluded but ATOL protection applies if the package was ATOL-registered.
What if the scam happened while I was abroad?
Report to local police for a crime reference, then follow up with your home country's reporting agency (FTC or Action Fraud) and your card issuer on return. Having the local police report strengthens your chargeback case.