Consumers booking Black Friday holiday deals are being urged to avoid scams.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) advised people to ensure they are financially protected by using a credit card to pay, taking out travel insurance and checking whether a package holiday is covered by the Atol scheme.

City of London Police data shows UK consumers reported losing £11 million to holiday fraud last year.

Londoners had the biggest losses at nearly £2.5 million.

Other regions significantly affected include the West Midlands (£546,000), Greater Manchester (£508,000) and Hampshire (£482,000).

Many genuine holiday retailers offer discounts around Black Friday and Travel Tuesday – which this year fall on Friday and December 2 respectively – but criminals also use the busy period to promote fake holi

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