Booking a holiday cottage directly is an excellent way to save money. Without an agent to take their cut, the vast majority of holiday cottage owners who sell directly to the public, do so at a discounted price - and that discount can be quite significant!
However, with fraudulent listings becoming more common, particularly on platforms like Facebook, it’s vital to know how to protect yourself. As part of marketing our holiday cottage, here in Norfolk, I use Facebook a lot - and I see probably five or six posts a day that are clearly created by scammers. It's worrying to see people falling for them time and time again, when in reality avoiding scams is quite simple, if you follow a few careful steps.
Here's how!
Common Holiday Cottage Scams on Facebook
Facebook is a popular place for holiday property listings, but it’s also a hotspot for scams. Here are some of the most common tactics:
Fake Listings:
Scammers post enticing images of cottages that either don’t exist or don’t belong to them. It is incredibly easy for scammers to "right-click-save" and pass images off as their own.
Unbelievably Cheap Rates:
Fraudsters often advertise unrealistically low prices to tempt travellers. In reality, there are a lot of costs in running a holiday let - and these are reflected in the overall price you pay. If a price looks too good to be true, it is. It’s that simple.
Pressured Payments:
They may push for an immediate deposit via bank transfer, or as a "friends and family" payment using Paypal or Western Union.
Impersonation:
Some scammers impersonate legitimate property owners or agencies, complete with fake reviews and convincing profiles.
How to Protect Yourself
These steps will help you book your dream stay safely, whether it’s with us at The Norfolk Broads Cottage, or another property:
1. Verify the Property and check the owner's credibility
A great place to start is to search the property name (e.g., “The Norfolk Broads Cottage, Wroxham, holiday cottage”) to confirm there’s an official website or social media presence. Make sure the official website has a booking engine attached to it. Anyone can create a five minute brochure website; it is not as easy to fraudlently use a booking engine - and in reality, most scammers would rather do the least work possible and take the lowest hanging fruit.
Speak directly with the owner by phone or video call. Any owner worth their salt will be happy to take a call on a changeover day to prove that they actually own the holiday cottage If they won't do this, it's a huge red flag: don't book.
Ask for business registration details, or check Companies House if they claim to be a limited company.
Letting holiday cottages is a business, and a business should have a business bank account! Ask for the details and verify them using a banking app.
Just providing the holiday cottage address is not enough to prove ownership. The addresses of many holiday cottages are freely available on Google, particularly if the genuine owner has a listing on Google Maps.
2. Use Safe Payment Methods
Avoid paying by bank transfer unless you’re absolutely certain of the owner’s legitimacy.
Opt for safer options like credit cards, or established third-party booking platforms.
3. Watch for Warning Signs
Be wary of listings with minimal photos or overly generic descriptions.
Avoid anyone who rushes you or refuses to answer questions about the property.
4. Read Reviews and Testimonials
Check for independent reviews on platforms such as Google or TripAdvisor. Here at the Norfolk Broads Cottage we use Upfront Reviews, which is an independent review service that only allows reviews to be left by people who have actually stayed at the cottage, eliminating the possibility they have been faked in order to build a fraudulent profile.
5. Follow Your Instincts
If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is. Trust your instincts when something doesn’t add up.
Final Thoughts
While booking a holiday cottage directly can be financially rewarding, it’s essential to take precautions to avoid scams. Research thoroughly, use secure payment methods, and always verify the property and its owner. By staying vigilant, you can enjoy a wonderful getaway without any unwanted surprises.
Ready to book your next holiday with confidence?
When booking a stay at The Norfolk Broads Cottage, you’re choosing a trusted and verified holiday home that prioritises your peace of mind. We pride ourselves on transparent communication, secure booking processes, and glowing reviews.
The Norfolk Broads Cottage is a luxurious thatched cottage sleeping up to 14, complete with hot tub and games room, it's the perfect base to explore everything that Norfolk has to offer!
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⭐️ 5* luxury
👙 Private hot tub
🛌 Sleeps up to 14
🎱 Games cabin & streaming services
🏡 Treehouse
🐶 Fully enclosed garden - dogs welcome
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