FRAUDSTERS are stealing images of hotels from other travel websites to sell fake holidays, warn police.

Scammers are using fake online adverts, bogus sales calls, emails, and text messages to offer incredibly cheap holiday rates to the public, Greater Manchester police have warned.

The accommodation fraud which is sweeping the nation involves criminals stealing images of hotels or rented apartments from other travel websites and passing them off as their own in a bid to catch out holidaymakers.

Tourists are paying money to make a hotel reservation or book a form of accommodation only to find the hotel or reservation does not exist.

Police are advising the public to use an established hotel or reputable travel company when booking holiday accommodation. Travel companies should be members of trade bodies such as ABTA, the Travel Association or the Air Travel Organisers Licensing (ATOL).

People booking independently are being urged to establish whether they are dealing with the property owner or letting agent and if dealing with the property owner to ask them about the accommodation and local area in detail.

Properties and hotels should also be researched, and their addresses checked on web searches and online maps. Agents should also be researched via an online search engine and the terms and conditions of the hotel or accommodation checked.

When paying for accommodation cash should be avoided and if possible, credit cards should be used to protect payments.

Victims of fraud can visit the Action Fraud website for further advice.