TUI Booking Scam UK: Spot a Fake Deal or Contact
A genuine TUI booking can always be checked yourself on tui.co.uk — a message alone is not proof.
What a fake TUI booking or contact looks like
This scam is a social media ad, WhatsApp message, or email impersonating TUI — offering a steep discount on a holiday, or claiming a problem with your booking or account. An example of the style is a social ad reading: Exclusive TUI flash sale — 70% off all-inclusive holidays, today only. Book now via the link. Because TUI is a well-known, genuine UK operator, a message like this doesn't look unusual at first glance.
Why these scams are convincing
TUI is an ABTA member and provides ATOL protection on its package holidays, so trust in the brand is well placed generally — fraudsters exploit that trust rather than create it from nothing. TUI has also had to warn that fake customer-service accounts have appeared on social media, sometimes replying to real customers' public complaints and asking them to move the conversation to a direct message.
Signs a TUI contact or deal is a scam
- The offer or contact arrives via a social media ad, WhatsApp, or unsolicited text or email, rather than from tui.co.uk itself.
- The price is drastically below any genuine TUI deal you can find directly on tui.co.uk.
- You're asked to pay by direct bank transfer rather than through TUI's own website checkout.
- A 'TUI support' account on social media asks you to move to a private message or WhatsApp.
- The sender's email domain isn't tui.co.uk.
How the scam works step by step
First, a fake deal or contact appears via social media, WhatsApp, or an unsolicited email. Second, you're directed to pay directly or to enter your TUI account details on a lookalike site. Third, either there's no genuine booking behind the payment, or your real TUI account details have been captured and can be used to access it.
How to check a TUI booking or contact is genuine
Go to tui.co.uk directly — type the address yourself — and use Manage My Booking with your own booking reference, lead passenger surname, and departure date, rather than trusting a link in a message.
- If it's a package holiday combining flights and accommodation, it should be ATOL protected — check you received a genuine ATOL Certificate listing everything you booked.
- TUI UK is an ABTA member and ATOL protected, but that protection only applies to bookings made through TUI's own genuine channels, not a deal that bypasses tui.co.uk entirely.
- If you're unsure about a message, contact TUI only through the official app or website you found yourself — not a number or link from the suspicious message.
If you've already paid or shared details
If you paid by card, contact your bank or card provider about a chargeback or, where a credit-card purchase qualifies, a Section 75 claim. If you have a genuine TUI account, log in directly and check for any changes or activity you don't recognise. Treat any password or security detail entered on a suspicious site as compromised and change it.
How to report a TUI impersonation scam (UK)
If the contact arrived by text, forward it to 7726; if by email, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. Report a fake social media account to the platform it appeared on. If you've lost money, report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 if you are in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland on 101.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know a TUI deal or message is genuine?
TUI itself is a genuine, ABTA-member and ATOL-protected UK operator, but that doesn't make every message claiming to be from TUI real. Check any deal or account issue directly on tui.co.uk and through Manage My Booking, rather than trusting a link or unsolicited message.
How do I check my TUI booking is genuinely ATOL protected?
Package holidays combining a flight and accommodation booked through TUI are ATOL protected. You should receive an ATOL Certificate at the time of payment — check it lists everything you actually booked.
I've already sent money for what I think was a fake TUI deal — what do I do?
Contact your bank or card provider about a chargeback or, where eligible on a credit-card purchase of more than £100 and up to £30,000, a Section 75 claim, and report the scam.
I clicked a link in a 'TUI' email and entered my login details — is my account compromised?
Treat it as compromised. Log into your real TUI account directly (by typing the address or using the app), change your password, and check for any changes you don't recognise.
How do I report a scam impersonating TUI?
Forward a scam text to 7726 or a scam email to report@phishing.gov.uk, report a fake social media account to the platform itself, and report any money lost to Report Fraud.