Millions British adults have been approached about making a compensation claim for being sick while on holiday, according to ABTA.
New figures from a YouGov survey of British adults reveal almost one in five people, or 19 per cent, have been contacted about making a compensation claim for holiday sickness.
The most common way people said they were approached was over the phone (14 per cent), followed by text (seven per cent) and email (seven per cent).
Some people also reported being contacted on social media (three per cent) and some were approached in person (two per cent) including in airports or while on holiday.
The new figures are released as part of ABTA’s ‘Stop Sickness Scams’ campaign which highlights that false claims are costing the travel industry tens of millions of pounds.
ABTA is calling for the urgent closure of a loophole in the law, which enables claims management companies and legal firms to make more money in fees from sickness claims abroad, than they’re able to from personal injuries in the UK.
Evidence from the travel industry and customers highlights that some claims management companies are contacting people out of the blue, encouraging them to make a false claim and often misleadingly saying there is a pot of money waiting to be claimed – but aren’t telling them the risks involved.
Making a false compensation claim for holiday sickness is an act of fraud and if prosecuted could result in a large fine, criminal record or jail term of up to three years.
However, many people are unaware of the seriousness of the penalty.
The new research finds 70 per cent people don’t know that making a false claim for holiday sickness could result in a prison sentence in the UK or abroad.
Just 38 per cent think people could receive a fine in the UK or abroad.
Since 2013, there has been a 500 per cent rise in the number of compensation claims received by travel companies for holiday sickness – yet the number of sickness reports to hotels in resorts has remained the same.
The problem is only associated with UK holidaymakers – travel firms in other countries have not experienced an increase.
The findings are published today, six months after the government announced its plans to clampdown on the rise in false sickness claims.
ABTA wants the government to ensure the new measures are in place in time for the main 2018 holiday period.
There are only two opportunities a year to make the planned changes – April and October – if the measures aren’t in place by April it will be too late for the summer season.
ABTA also wants the financial guidance and claims bill – which will come to the house of commons early in 2018 – to include a ban on cold calling for personal injury claims by claims management companies.
Mark Tanzer, ABTA chief executive, said: “Unscrupulous claims management companies are encouraging people to make a false sickness claim which could land them with a large fine or even a prison sentence.
“False claims don’t just make UK holidaymakers vulnerable to serious penalties – they’re also costing travel companies and hotel owners tens millions of pounds and tarnishing the reputation of the British abroad.
“Closing the loophole in the law in time for the 2018 holiday season will make a big difference in tackling fraudulent sickness claims.”