Here's how to stop fraudsters turning your dream-holiday plans into a nightmare. By Vicky Shaw.

Planning a holiday is one of life's most exciting joys, so it can be heartbreaking to discover that your big break doesn't really exist and you've in fact been the victim of a scam.

Would-be holidaymakers and travellers were conned out of £7 million by fraudsters in 2018, according to Action Fraud. The average amount lost was £1,380 per person - but as well as the financial cost, victims have also reported the significant emotional impact caused by this crime.

Over half (53%) of the crimes reported were related to the sale of airline tickets. The next most common fraud related to the sale of accommodation. What's more, the actual total number of losses relating to travel fraud may be even higher, with many victims feeling too embarrassed to report what happened.

As holiday season approaches, Action Fraud has teamed up with Abta - the Travel Association and Get Safe Online - to highlight the warning signs of travel-related fraud. Here are some tips...

1. 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.

2. Do your research

Don't just rely on one review - do a thorough online search to check the company's credentials. If a company is defrauding people, there is a good chance that consumers will post details of their experiences, and warnings about the company.

3. Ask yourself if the deal is too good to be true

It's easy to let the excitement of what looks like a "dream holiday" at a bargain price cloud your judgement. Be wary if you're contacted out of the blue by a travel agent or firm you've never dealt with before, offering a trip away at a very low price.

Fraudsters will often use fake online adverts, bogus sales calls, emails and texts offering very cheap deals to tempt you in to booking a holiday with them.

4. Look for the logo

Check whether the company is a member of a recognised trade body such as Abta. If you have any doubts, you can verify membership of Abta online.

5. Pay safely

Wherever possible, pay by credit card and be wary about paying directly into someone else's bank account. If it's a scam, the fraudster may completely cut off contact after their victim has paid up - and the victim later discovers the holiday they've been offered doesn't exist.

Generally speaking, people paying by credit card have protections under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if something goes wrong with a purchase. This means that it's possible to put a claim to the credit card company if you don't get the goods or service you purchased with your card.

6. Watch out for holiday club fraud

This may happen when a fraudster contacts you out of the blue, perhaps on the phone or by offering you a scratchcard in the street, and tells you you've won a "free" holiday. To claim the "prize", victims may be asked to watch a presentation, often in a fancy hotel, to lean more about their holiday.

The presentation may be deliberately long and victims may be offered free champagne or other alcohol, before being asked to sign a contract. It later turns out the holiday isn't free and instead the victim finds out they are expected to pay for flights and other extras. When they try to book holidays, people may also discover that destinations are not guaranteed and may be unavailable when they want to visit them.

7. Check the paperwork

You should study receipts, invoices, as well as terms and conditions. Be very wary of any companies that don't provide any at all. When booking through a holiday club or timeshare, consider getting the contract thoroughly vetted by a solicitor before signing up.

8. Get help and report any suspect contact

Victims should contact their bank and report it to Action Fraud.

For more advice on how to stay safe when booking or researching travel online, visit getsafeonline.org/shopping-banking/holiday-and-travel-booking

HOW TO... AVOID A FAMILY DISPUTE OVER FUNERAL PLANS

Death - whether it's your own funeral planning or that of a loved one - is an upsetting subject for families to think about, let alone discuss. But not broaching the subject can cause problems further down the line.

Free-to-use consumer complaints website, Resolver.co.uk says it's noticed an increasing number of people seeking help over problems that have arisen after the death of a relative. From probate to equity release, many of these disputes reportedly arise when family members disagree over what the deceased "would have wanted".

Resolver says people can now complain to it about funeral plans, and has teamed up with funeral services provider, Dignity, to develop a guide that explains what your rights are when purchasing a plan and, importantly, how to complain if you're not happy.

These are their tips on avoiding a family funeral dispute:

1. A prepaid funeral plan should protect you against the rising costs of funerals, allowing you to pay for your funeral in advance so your relatives don't have to cover all the costs themselves.

2. Check what is guaranteed to be covered and what isn't. Funeral plans vary considerably with some only covering funeral director costs, while others may guarantee doctors' fees and other charges such as cremation, burial and minister fees. Watch out for plans that aren't clear about exactly what you're paying for.

3. Avoid making a snap decision to buy over the phone - a good funeral provider should be happy to give you time to consider.

4. Find out how your money is protected if the firm goes bust.

5. This is the biggie. Explain your plan and what is included to your family and friends, so they know what to expect and know you have a plan in place. This doesn't have to be grim. Talk about music and mood - everyone has a song or two they imagine playing at their funeral. It's a good way to broach the subject.

Resolver's full guide is available at resolver.co.uk/rights-guide/funeral-plans

POUNDNOTES

Financial fact: The number of homeowners' properties being repossessed jumped by 10% in the first quarter of 2019 compared with a year earlier, figures from a trade association show. UK Finance said 1,380 homeowner mortgaged properties were repossessed in the first quarter of 2019, 10% more than in the same quarter of the previous year - but still well below the levels seen between 2009 and 2014.

IT'S ELEMENTARY - SHERLOCK HOLMES COIN WILL FIND ITS WAY INTO WALLETS

Sherlock Holmes fans may soon detect a coin celebrating the character's creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in their loose change. The Royal Mint has created a 50p coin features a design with Holmes and lettering so tiny that it requires a magnifying glass to decipher it.

Versions of the coin have been put on sale on the Royal Mint's website and the coin will enter wider circulation in the coming months. The coin commemorates 160 years since the birth of the Holmes author on May 22, 1859.

CHILDCARE COSTS 'HOLDING MANY WOMEN BACK AT WORK'

Nearly four in 10 mothers working part-time would choose to increase their hours if childcare costs were cheaper, research has found. Some 38% say they would work for longer if childcare was less expensive, according to a survey of 2,000 mothers with children aged under 10 across the UK. The survey was released by not-for-profit pension provider the People's Pension.

MANY SOCIAL MEDIA USERS 'WOULD RATHER HAVE MORE FOLLOWERS THAN £100 CASH'

Around two-fifths of social media users would rather have more followers than £100 cash to boost their savings, a survey has found. Investment service Wealthify found users said they would need a minimum of £5,018 on average to give up all social channels forever. Some 5% said nothing would make them give social media up for a year - and 30% said no amount of money would make them give up social media for good.