Warning over travel scam catching tourists out ahead of European visa rule change

A NEW travel scam is catching tourists out ahead of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) introduction.
Scammers are targeting travellers with fake websites mimicking official application portals and attempting to steal personal data and money, while ETIAS is not yet available.
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The scammers are creating fake websites that look like official ETIAS application portals with the aim of getting individuals' passport details, personal information and even payment information.
Many of the sites charge extra fees for a service that actually doesn't exist yet or for services that are already available on the official ETIAS platform.
Some sites guarantee instant approval - which actually is not the case with ETIAS, as applications have to go through security checks.
They are also spreading misinformation about ETIAS, creating further confusion and causing travellers to panic and apply through different unofficial channels.
In addition, scammers can manipulate search engine rankings, which means their websites often appear higher up when travellers search, compared to official channels.
According to ETIAS.COM, ABTA warns: "People who try to apply for an ETIAS now may be at risk of fraud.
"There's a risk of losing money and possibly personal data too."
How ETIAS will work when it arrives
passport nears expiration.
Travellers will need to share personal details, travel history and reasons for visiting Europe.
It will allow short-term stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across Schengen countries.
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" embed="in-page" experience_id="" height="100%" language_detection="" max_height="360px" max_width="640px" min_width="0px" mute="" padding_top="56%" picture_in_picture="" player_id="default" playlist_id="" playsinline="" sizing="responsive" video_id="6350521755112" video_ids="" width="640px"]
Only people aged between 18 and 70 will need to pay the fee.
Anyone younger or older must still apply, but will not be charged.
Applications MUST be done through the EU's official website - 'http://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en'.
However, there is no rush to apply year.
Travellers from the UK can still enter EU countries without an ETIAS.
ETIAS.com warns to avoid scams, travellers should:
Ignore unsolicited emails or ads promoting ETIAS.
Avoid unofficial travel websites that charge high fees or request unusual personal details.
Bookmark and use the official EU site once ETIAS becomes active.
Report suspicious activity to travel authorities or consumer protection agencies.
The website adds: "As new travel authorisation systems like the UK's ETA and the EU's upcoming ETIAS reshape border entry rules, clarity and caution are more important than ever.
"While only European visitors to the UK currently need to act, travelers to Europe should remain alert — not to red tape, but to rising scams exploiting the confusion.
"The ETIAS system won't go live until late 2026, yet fraudulent websites already prey on unaware travellers.
"As change looms, one constant remains: informed travel is safer travel. Bookmark official sources, ignore unofficial shortcuts, and keep your passport — and your data protected."
No new paperwork is required for this summer or autumn and officials have stressed that no action is currently needed.
The official ETIAS system won't actually be live until late 2026.
One in five Brits also book holiday based on 'fake' reviews – but can you spot hidden imposter in the pictures?
Plus, travel expert warns of scary holiday scam which could see you out of pocket and out on the street.
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an hour ago

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Destination weddings have never been more popular – here's how to navigate them

How do you feel about going on holiday to a glamorous sunshine destination? Happy? Now, how do you feel about the prospect if I tell you the holiday is not in a destination or on a date of your choosing and that you will have to spend three days of your getaway in a sweaty suit or heels making small talk with a dull uncle you've never met? Oh, and it will cost you about £1,000 for the privilege. Cancelled during Covid, and scaled back in the early years of the cost-of-living crisis, destination weddings are now back with a bang. According to Google Trends, the search term 'destination wedding' is more popular than at any time since 2016, and research published in May by financial company American Express finds that 40 per cent of British wedding guests are heading overseas to weddings they are attending in 2025. 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Gemma Watts, 31, a hairdresser from south London, told Travel that for Britons like her at 'peak first wedding age' (from around age 27 to 35), the costs of friends' bashes can quickly stack up. 'I've been invited to three pricey weddings this summer, one of them in Dordogne and one in Ibiza,' she says. 'I'm trying to save up with my boyfriend for a house deposit so it's all coming at the worst possible time as we can barely afford a weekend on a campsite right now.' Tough-talking financial advisor Dave Ramsey advises anyone without a healthy bank balance to think twice about booking that ticket to Zanzibar. 'A destination wedding is an excuse for a vacation,' he said. 'It can be a wonderful thing – for people who have money. But when broke people go to a destination wedding, you know what you call that? More debt. I can promise you, 25 years from now, there's about a 90 per cent chance that you'll have zero relationship with these people.' 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BBC News

an hour ago

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The self-drive tuk-tuks transforming travel in Sri Lanka

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"And traveling by tuk-tuk allowed us to visit small restaurants and local businesses that many tourists might otherwise miss." One of her favourite memories was a spontaneous pitstop for lunch: "The owner invited Daniel into the kitchen to help make kottu roti," says Hiptmair. Kate Dicks from Hampshire in the UK was also a huge fan of the experience. She rented a self-drive tuk-tuk with her boyfriend for a 10-day road trip in January 2025. They wanted to visit the highlands and national parks. As taxis were few and far between in these rural areas and the bus connections didn't fit their schedule, a tuk-tuk provided the perfect solution. The tuk-tuk also helped give them the David Attenborough moment they wanted. "The most memorable part of our trip was when we saw wild elephants along the road we were driving on," says Dicks. "To see an elephant that close in its natural habitat was just amazing." 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Telegraph

2 hours ago

• Telegraph

Post Office admits Horizon scandal staff are compensating victims

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A public inquiry into the scandal is expected to produce its first report in the coming weeks, which will focus on the human impact of the scandal and the ongoing process of financial redress. Though various schemes were set up to compensate victims, Sir Alan Bates and others have criticised them for taking too long and for offering payouts far smaller than some have claimed for. The majority of the schemes – including the one set up to pay out Sir Alan and more than 500 others who took legal action against the Post Office – are now administered by the Government. However, the Post Office continues to run the Horizon Shortfall Scheme for victims who were neither wrongfully convicted nor involved in the High Court Case. Last month, The Telegraph revealed a former Post Office auditor who visited branches with suspected shortfalls, was, until recently, employed within the unit. And earlier this month, Christopher Hodges, chair of the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board, wrote to Mr Railton to express his concerns about staff who had roles linked to historic cases linked to the scandal. 'The issue is the ongoing involvement in redress and appeals work of Post Office staff who are perceived as having earlier been involved in the scandal,' he said. 'We continue to hear reports from victims who have met such staff in compensation meetings, and who find it deeply distressing and inappropriate.' 'No conflict' In a letter in response, Mr Railton said that as far as its 'analysis' showed, it had 'no employees working on redress who are in a position of actual conflict'. Mr Railton said some individuals who worked for Post Office while postmasters were being wrongfully prosecuted were employed in the Remediation Unit when it was set up. He then said the Post Office 'quickly acknowledged' that this gave rise to 'perceived conflict' particularly in the case of those who worked in roles 'even loosely connected with historic prosecutions' – known as 'past roles employees'. While the chair said the Post Office had 'taken steps to remove' these staff, he said the organisation was anxious that as these individuals hadn't been accused of wrongdoing, they were to be treated fairly and that the process should not 'slow down the pace of redress'. 'Leaving at the earliest opportunity' Mr Railton then added: 'As at the date of your last meeting (at which the oral update was given), we were in a position to report that all but two Past Roles Employees had been redeployed from the Remediation Unit (and many had left the business altogether), and that discussions were ongoing with the remaining two individuals with a view to their leaving Post Office. 'Since then, one further individual has been identified and the team is working towards their leaving Post Office too at the earliest opportunity.' One individual who continues to be employed within the unit is Shirley Hailstones, who is not accused of wrongdoing. Documents shown to the inquiry show Ms Hailstones gave feedback on a defence drafted on the Post Office's behalf in relation to victims' cases. And Ms Hailstones was also previously involved in the mediation case of Mr Castleton, who was portrayed by Will Mellor in the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office. Mr Castleton was ultimately told he would not be able to take part in the scheme and that his only option would be to take his case to court. The inquiry was shown emails from forensic accountant Ron Warmington and Ms Hailstones, a Post Office case review manager, sent in November 2013, discussing potential links between faults at different Post Office branches. Ms Hailstones did not copy-in former sub-postmasters Mr Castleton and Sir Alan to her email, before she shared it with then-Post Office irrelevant Angela van den Bogerd and said: 'This interaction in my view should not be widely circulated.' Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Castleton said: 'It's entirely irrelevant whether any of these people are guilty of wrongdoing or not. 'From the perspective of former sub-postmasters, anybody working at the Post Office in that era will be tainted – it's the optics. They need to be removed.' A Post Office spokesman said: 'We do not comment on individual employment matters. 'We can confirm, as per our letter to the Advisory Board that has been published, there are three individuals leaving the Post Office at the earliest opportunity.'