Holiday scams are about to peak. Here’s how to avoid losing your December getaway

As South Africans rush to book December getaways, criminals are ready and waiting.

They know families are excited, short on time and hunting for a bargain.

And that’s exactly what they’re counting on.

On Monday, 12 October, the South African Police Service (SAPS) launched its festive season crime-fighting operations, promising to protect travellers over one of the country’s busiest travel periods.

But some of the biggest risks to your holiday won’t happen on the road. They’ll happen online, before you’ve even packed.

According to the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), holiday scams often peak ahead of or during the festive season.

They trick people into paying for flights, accommodation and activities that never materialise.

Here are the scams to watch out for, and how to protect yourself.

1. FAKE HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

This is one of the most common holiday scams.

Criminals advertise holiday homes, beach houses or guest rooms that don’t exist, or that belong to someone else.

They often use stolen photos and list the property on social media, community groups or even trusted booking websites.

The FIC says some scammers pose as accommodation owners, while others create fake profiles to book properties, targeting hosts too.

2. CLONED WEBSITES AND FAKE TRAVEL AGENTS

Some scammers go a step further.

The FIC says criminals impersonate legitimate brands, travel agencies, airlines and booking websites, and create fake social media pages.

They then offer fake holiday packages and tickets for flights, buses and trains.

The Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) warns that scammers also use forged booking confirmations that look perfectly real.

3. HOLIDAY SCAMS ON THE PHONE

Not every scam happens online.

In 2026, Airlink warned that people were phoning customers, asking them to download its app and hand over personal information or documents.

If someone calls you out of the blue about a booking, hang up. Contact the company directly using the details on its official website.

The FIC’s report also lists scams involving holiday vouchers, holiday clubs and fraudulent timeshares.

These usually promise cheap or free holidays, but require an upfront payment or membership fee first.

5. EVENT TICKET SCAMS

December is festival season, and ticket resale scams are common.

Be wary of anyone selling tickets on social media, especially if they ask you to pay into a personal bank account. Buy directly from official ticketing platforms instead.

RED FLAGS TO WATCH FOR

Most holiday scams share the same warning signs:

The price is too good to be true. The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) has long advised that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

You’re pressured to pay quickly. Scammers create a sense of urgency so you don’t have time to check.

You’re asked to pay into a personal account. SATSA warns against making large EFT payments to personal accounts.

The website address looks slightly off. A cloned site may have a URL that doesn’t match the real company’s.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Book through trusted platforms, and pay using their secure payment systems.

Verify the business. You can check whether a tour operator is a SATSA member, or email info@satsa.co.za to confirm.

Check with the local tourism office. SAPS has previously advised contacting the local tourism office in the area if you’re unsure whether a listing is real.

Search the property online. If the same photos appear under different names or addresses, walk away.

Turn on 3D Secure for online card payments.

SABRIC has previously recommended it as an extra layer of protection.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’VE BEEN SCAMMED

Act fast.

Contact your bank immediately to try to stop or reverse the payment.

Open a case at your nearest SAPS station, as the FIC advises.

Report the scam to the platform where you found the listing, so it can be removed before anyone else is caught.

I write about scams all the time, and these ones still make me angry.

They don’t just steal money. They steal the holiday families have saved all year for.

My advice? Slow down, check twice and never pay into a personal account. A real bargain will still be there tomorrow.

HAVE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW EVER BEEN CAUGHT BY A HOLIDAY SCAM?