British holidaymakers have been warned about the top destinations where they are most likely to fall victim to holiday scams. According to cybersecurity firm McAfee, tourists lost a shocking £12 million to scams in 2023. McAfee advises travelers to be cautious, especially in the top 10 riskiest destinations.
One of the riskiest locations for scams is the popular beach town of Benidorm in Spain, which sees a large number of British visitors each year. The Costa Blanca region has seen an increase in fraudulent websites and advertisements targeting unsuspecting tourists. Following Benidorm, Berlin and Ibiza were ranked as the second and third riskiest destinations for scams.
Vonny Gamot, the head of EMEA at McAfee, emphasizes the importance of staying alert and taking proactive steps to protect security, privacy, and online identity during the peak summer holiday season. Travelers are advised to be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true and to book directly with reputable companies.
In addition, tourists should be wary of professional-looking websites and social media accounts that may deceive them. Not all reviews can be trusted, as some platforms may delete negative comments to enhance their image. It is recommended to check third-party sites like Trustpilot to verify the legitimacy of a website.
The top 10 riskiest locations for holiday scams include Benidorm, Spain; Berlin, Germany; Ibiza, Balearic Islands; Valletta, Malta; Albufeira, Portugal; Bangkok, Thailand; Maldives, South Asia; Dubai, UAE; New York, USA; and Dublin, Ireland. Travelers are urged to exercise caution and be vigilant while planning their trips to these destinations to avoid falling victim to scams.
