How to Protect Yourself from Booking Scams: A Guide for Caravan Owners

🛡️ How to Protect Yourself from Booking Scams: A Guide for Caravan Owners

At BookCaravanHoliday.co.uk, your safety—and that of your guests—is our top priority. Unfortunately, with the popularity of UK staycations on the rise, scammers are increasingly targeting private holiday let owners. But with a few simple practices and the right tools, you can stay protected and enjoy stress-free bookings.

Here’s what you need to know to avoid getting scammed when managing your holiday caravan listings.

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1. Always Use a Trusted Payment Platform—Like Stripe

We strongly recommend using Stripe for all your bookings. Stripe is a secure, industry-leading payment processor that protects both you and your guests. With its advanced encryption, fraud prevention, and direct integration with our platform, it’s your best defense against fake payments or refund fraud.

Why Stripe is better than bank transfers or cash:

• Stripe verifies the cardholder’s identity.
• Funds are automatically tracked and recorded.
• You’re covered with built-in fraud prevention tools like Stripe Radar.

💡 TIP: Enable Stripe Radar’s advanced rules to flag or block suspicious transactions. Radar uses machine learning to detect unusual payment activity before it becomes a problem.

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2. Avoid BACS and Cash Payments at All Costs

While BACS (bank transfers) or cash might seem convenient, they offer zero protection if something goes wrong. Once the money is sent, there’s no way to reverse it if you discover the booking is fraudulent.

Risks of using BACS or cash:

• Scammers may use stolen accounts or fake identities.
• You have no recourse if a guest damages your property or disputes the booking.
• It’s difficult to track and prove who made the payment.

🔒 Remember: If a guest insists on paying by bank transfer or cash, it’s a red flag. Politely decline and offer the secure Stripe checkout instead.

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3. Don’t Share Your Caravan’s Exact Location with Enquirers

It can be tempting to answer every question a potential guest asks—but sharing too much, too early, can leave you vulnerable.

Why this matters:

• Fraudsters may use your caravan’s location to impersonate you and run scams.
• Your listing could be cloned and falsely advertised elsewhere.
• Giving away your exact plot number before a booking is confirmed increases the risk of trespassing or unauthorised access.

What to do instead:

• Mention the general resort or park name, but do not share the exact pitch number or full address.
• Only release full location details after payment is confirmed through Stripe and the booking is secured.

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4. Verify Guest Details Before Confirming the Booking

Even when using a secure platform, it’s a good habit to cross-check guest information:

• Look for professional email addresses and valid phone numbers.
• Be cautious of last-minute bookings with vague details or urgent requests.
• Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it’s okay to decline the booking.

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5. Don’t Share Too Much Personal Information

Protect your privacy by keeping all communications within our platform or via your official contact channels. Avoid:

• Sending copies of ID or utility bills.
• Giving out your personal bank details.
• Sharing your home address or other private information.

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6. Use Secure Wi-Fi and Strong Passwords

It might sound simple, but always:

• Use strong, unique passwords for your Stripe and listing accounts.
• Enable 2-step authentication where available.
• Avoid logging in to Stripe or your bookings dashboard over public Wi-Fi.

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Final Thoughts

We’re here to support you every step of the way. By following these best practices and making the most of Stripe’s built-in protections, you’ll keep your business—and your guests—safe.

✅ Use Stripe with Radar
🚫 Avoid BACS and cash
🔍 Don’t overshare until payment is received
🔐 Stay secure online

Have any questions or want help setting up Stripe? Contact us and we’ll walk you through it