Staying safe when booking your Villa Getaway

Before you book

Book Through A Reputable Source: Always book directly through a trusted travel provider such as SPL Villas. Research the company, check their reviews, and see how long the villa has been advertised, a villa that seems to have appeared out of nowhere could or couldn’t be cause for concern. Do you know anybody that has travelled with this provider previously? Do they have a transparent physical and/or online presence?

Research the Villa: Knowledge is power, If you're unsure in any way, call the company direct and ask for further information about the property, it’s location, surrounding areas, and amenities. Ask about the condition of the villa, recent renovations and such like. The more information you gather, the more confident you can be in your booking decision.

Consider the Price: If a villa is advertised at a significantly lower price than others, especially during peak season, it might just be too good to be true. Research other villas or villa holidays and compare prices. If the price of the villa you're considering is significantly lower than others, ask yourself ‘why’.

Check out reviews from multiple Sources: Check reviews on the company’s website, Google, and external sites. Scroll their social media channels for customer feedback. A lack of reviews or social media presence can be a red flag.

Detailed Reviews: Scammers often create vague, fake reviews. Look for detailed feedback and check the dates. Be sure the review relates to the details of the specific villa and not simply things such as ‘beautiful’ ‘loved it’ ‘recommend’

Verify ABTOT membership: ABTOT is the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust, it is a UK based organisation that provides financial protection for travellers. The scheme ensures that consumers are protected against the insolvency of travel companies, covering prepayments and arranging repatriation if necessary.

Check Website Security, HTTPS and Padlock Symbol: Ensure the website uses HTTPS (secure) and look for a padlock symbol. Avoid sites that redirect you to another domain.

Be Wary of Mobile Numbers: Illegitimate websites often lack a trackable phone number. Verify the company’s registered telephone number and call it. The area code should match the company’s registered address.

When Booking

Avoid Redirection for Payment: Do not be lured away from the booking platform for payment. Scammers may offer a better rate for payment through another channel. Always stay on the original booking site.

Use a Credit Card: Book your holiday with a credit card for additional legal protection. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, credit card companies share liability with the seller for purchases between £100 and £30,000.

Obtain Written Confirmation: Ensure you receive written confirmation of your booking. Check invoices, terms and conditions, and receipts. If you don’t receive confirmation, contact the company. At SPL Villas, we will email you confirmation of your booking and the receipt for payment taken. If you have booked a flight package with us, you will receive the ATOL certificate at time of booking too. Once your balance is paid, we will send you your full itinerary, along with relevant details for your villa holiday. We are always contactable via the phone, email or Live Chat.

What to Do if You’ve Been Scammed...

Report the Fraud: Contact Action Fraud at 0300 123 20 40 or visit their website. If you paid by credit card, contact your card issuer. Also be sure to Shout about your experience, Don’t be embarrassed to report the crime. Warn others on social media to prevent them from falling victim.

At SPL Villas, your safety is our priority before, during, and after your trip. As ABTOT and ATOL members, we adhere to strict standards, providing protection for your travel arrangements. Rest assured, we've got everything covered for your peace of mind.

Safe Travels x