One in 5 Brits are being lured into holiday compensation claims - that could lead to a prison sentence

A worrying 9.5 million people have been approached about making a potential claim, according to watchdog ABTA

Emma Munbo

Abta said in some cases, holidaymakers were being talked into making claims while on holiday (Image: Getty)

Millions of holidaymakers are being teased into making compensation claims for sickness abroad - despite not actually falling ill, it's been revealed.
According to a YouGov survey, almost one in five people have been contacted about making a compensation claim for holiday sickness to date - however, they're unaware that false or overinflated claims could lead to a jail sentence.
The most common way people said they were approached was over the phone, followed by text and email.
Some people also reported being contacted on social media and some were approached in person, including in airports or while on holiday.

The figures have been released as part of Travel Association ABTA’s ‘Stop Sickness Scams’ campaign which highlights that false claims are costing the travel industry tens of millions of pounds each year.
The body is now 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.

ABTA said that some firms 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 - which isn't necessarily the case.

In reality, making a false compensation claim is an act of fraud, and if prosecuted could result in a fine, criminal record or jail term of up to three years.
In October 2017 a couple from Merseyside received a prison sentence after being found guilty of making a fraudulent sickness claim. Deborah Briton was sentenced to nine months and her partner Paul Roberts was jailed for 15 months.

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ABTA's findings come six months after the Government announced its plans to clampdown on the rise in false sickness claims.
It's now calling for a summer 2018 deadline to ensure this year's holidaymakers don't fall victim to the so-called scams.
Mark Tanzer, ABTA’s 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."
If you receive a cold-call urging you to make a holiday sickness claim, you can report it to the Claims Management Regulator.
Culled from Mirror pension