With the increase in online holiday bookings year on year customers are searching the internet across numerous different websites for the best deal.

The increase in the popularity of online bookings has also resulted in an increase of opportunities for fraudsters.

ABTA has put together some top tips to stay safe and one step ahead online

Do your research – Don’t rely on one review, make sure you are doing a thorough online search to see what other customer’s experiences are:

Look for the logo - Check whether the company is a member of a trade body such as ABTA. Members will be legitimate companies, operating to a strict code of conduct.

Stay safe online - Check the web address is legitimate and has not been altered by slight changes to a domain name – such as going from co.uk to org. This problem is particularly common when booking accommodation only.

Pay securely - It is best to pay on credit card so that your purchase is protected. You should never pay directly into an owner's bank account; paying by direct bank transfer is like paying by cash and very difficult to get back.

Check your documents -All reputable companies have terms and conditions so beware of companies that don’t.

Trust your instincts - If something sounds too good to be true – it probably is. If something doesn’t feel right then question it.

Keep in mind these fraudsters are only improving their appearance and starting to look more and more legit every year.