Scam library · United Kingdom · Updated 20 October 2026
Ticket and holiday scams: what they say, how to spot it, what to do
A sold-out event or a tempting holiday price can make a rushed payment seem reasonable. Check the seller and booking independently before agreeing.
What they say
Illustrative examples, written in our own words:
- These are the last tickets, and another buyer is about to pay.
- Send a bank transfer now and I will email the booking confirmation later.
- The holiday listing is genuine, but the deposit must go to a different account.
- Leave the booking platform to avoid fees and secure the lower price.
How to spot it
- The seller pressures you to leave the platform or gives up its normal payment process.
- A screenshot, borrowed review or booking image replaces a check with the actual provider.
- The payee or property details change after you have agreed the booking.
What to do now
- Check the venue, accommodation or travel provider using contact details found independently.
- Use an established ticket or booking route you can verify, and read its payment and cancellation terms.
- Do not let a seller’s deadline override a mismatch in the name, account or booking details. Keep the conversation on the platform.
If you already paid or shared details
Call your bank immediately on the number on your card, using a trusted device. After hanging up, 159 can connect you to participating UK banks; coverage and call charges depend on your provider. Explain what you sent or shared and ask about stopping payments and securing the account.
Ask your card provider or booking platform about its dispute process if that is how you paid. Describe whether the seller was fraudulent or there is a dispute over a real service; ordinary purchase disputes are not automatically APP scams.
Under Payment Systems Regulator rules, UK banks and payment firms must refund most eligible authorised push payment (APP) scam losses from UK Faster Payments transfers made on or after 7 October 2024, up to £85,000 per claim. This means you were tricked into authorising a transfer. Eligibility and exceptions apply. Cards, cash, international transfers and crypto payments are not automatically covered by this rule. Report promptly and ask the bank to explain its assessment, any excess and the relevant deadlines.
Keep messages and payment references. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud). In Scotland, report to Police Scotland on 101. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Forward suspicious SMS texts to 7726 and emails to report@phishing.gov.uk, following GOV.UK reporting guidance. For message apps, use the app’s report and block tools. Reporting a message does not replace contacting your bank about a payment.
Questions people ask
Is a booking screenshot enough proof?
No. Verify the seller and booking through the provider or an established platform independently.
Should I move off the platform for a cheaper price?
Pause and check the risks and payment terms. You may lose the platform’s normal support or protections by leaving its process.