Press release: Get Safe Before You Get Away
18th May, 2006
GET SAFE BEFORE YOU GET AWAY
Get Safe Online and ABTA team up to launch the Online Travel Tick-List
With research showing the most popular product or service UK internet users buy online is travel and holidays[i], Get Safe Online (www.getsafeonline.org) and ABTA have teamed up to produce the Online Travel Tick-List – the definitive guide to safely booking your travel and holidays on the internet.
Over 48% of European internet users booked travel tickets online last year, and for many people, travel and holidays represent the highest value online purchase they make in the year. It’s therefore vital that before people log on searching for flights, holidays and hotels, they ensure they know how to protect themselves and their money when buying online.
Mark Tanzer, CEO ABTA said; “Many of us are now choosing to book our travel and holidays online, because it’s convenient, fast and can offer great deals. But when entering into a booking, consumers should remember a holiday is one of the few purchases we buy which cannot be ‘test-driven’ or seen before purchase. This makes it all the more important to be careful when making decisions and to check for industry accreditation, especially on travel websites you are unfamiliar with or haven’t used before.
Nick Truman, Head of Customer Internet Security, BT, and Get Safe Online spokesperson, commented further; “For many internet users, holidays and flights are one of the biggest online purchases made each year. Before making any online purchase, especially such a high value one, it’s important to ensure you know how to protect yourself, your money and your PC when using the internet.
“We urge every online sun-seeker to take the time to look at the Online Travel Tick-List for simple and practical advice to ensure you don’t get burnt, on or off the beach.”
The Online Travel Tick-List is available at www.getsafeonline.org and www.abta.com. Advice is as follows:
1. Check for approval - Make sure you know that your online tour and holiday operator is a member of ABTA and that they provide financial protection for your holiday. ABTA member travel agents and tour operators must comply with ABTA's rules. ABTA members have to sign up to a strict code of conduct which governs the relationship between you and the company.
2. Take your time & shop around – It’s important you take your time with entering your holiday requirements onto a travel website, just as you would when booking face to face or on the phone, and double check all details before entering your payment details. This will ensure you’re buying the holiday you want and that is "right" for you, whilst protecting yourself and your money.
3. Be informed and vigilant - Check the track record of any holiday retailer unfamiliar to you. Don’t reply to unsolicited bogus emails from retailers you don’t recognise. Legitimate companies will never send an information request via a pop up. If you don’t recognise the sender don’t reply.
4. Ensure the site is secure - Learn to look for the signs on your computer that tell you if a travel website is secure. Look out for a padlock symbol in the bottom right of the browser window and for the website to begin with ‘https://’. However, the padlock is not an absolute guarantee of safety, so it’s also important to use your common sense and be wary if you suspect something is wrong.
5. Keep your purchase records - Keep receipts of all online holiday or travel orders. Print off any confirmation pages and emails and keep them in case you are charged incorrectly.
6. Monitor your payment – Be sure to check your credit card and bank statements carefully once the holiday is booked, and notify the bank as soon as possible if you notice anything is wrong.
7. Protect your PC – Ensure your PC is secure by doing a ‘SAFE’ check. S for Spyware; run an anti-spyware programme. A for Anti-virus; get anti-virus protection; F for firewall; have a firewall on your PC and switch it on; and E for Ensure your operating system is updated.
8. Be internet aware - Take time to educate yourself and your family so you understand the risks and apply reasonable judgement when you’re online. For all the information you need visit www.getsafeonline.org.
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For press information please contact:
Get Safe Online Press Office:
Telephone: 0118 909 4548
Email: press@getsafeonline.org
About Get Safe Online
Get Safe Online is the UK’s first national Internet security awareness campaign for the general public and small business. The campaign is a joint initiative between the government, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and private sector sponsors from the worlds of technology, retail and finance.
For further information please visit www.getsafeonline.org/go/media.
[i] EIAA Mediascope Europe Study - research with over 7,000 people across Europe interviewed by telephone. Interviews were conducted between September and October 2005.