Warning as new travel scam emerges

Australians who are preparing to jet off on an overseas holiday to escape the cold this winter are being urged to get “scam savvy” and protect themselves from scams.

NAB has issued a scam warning for Aussie travellers heading abroad, with criminals expected to target major sporting events and big international concerts in Europe and America.

Apart from ticket scams, travellers are also being urged to look out for accommodation or booking website impersonation scams, and overcharging or wrong charge scams, with all three types of scams happening overseas, according to Chris Sheehan, NAB Executive, Group Investigations.

“Just like you’d plan visas and check the weather at your destination, it’s also vital to be aware of common scams in the countries you’re visiting so you can recognise the red flags and protect yourself,” Mr Sheehan said.

Mr Sheehan said travel scams tapped into travellers’ emotions including fear of missing out, tiredness and excitement, which may be heightened in an unfamiliar environment or if people were focused on looking for a bargain or managing a budget.

“The pressure to act now is a red flag in ticket and accommodation scams, while overcharging or wrong charging scams play on distraction and a lack of detail,” he said.

Mr Sheehan, who is a former Australia Federal Police executive, recommended travellers let their bank know where and when they were travelling, because it could help to increase accuracy when monitoring transactions for suspicious activity.

“If you find yourself in trouble, get in touch with your bank as soon as possible,” he said.

“You can often block and unblock your cards in your bank’s app or internet banking at the click of a button.”

About one third of Australians say they’re saving money for a holiday, according to data from NAB Economics.