A recent YouGov survey conducted by Abta as part of their ‘Stop Sickness Scams’ campaign, found that 9.5 million British adults have been cold-called by sickness claims management companies.

Furthermore, the research found as many as seven in 10 Brits do not realise falsely making sickness holiday claims is fraudulent and can lead to a court case and a lengthy period of imprisonment.

Despite this, the companies have heightened their activity in the UK with the number of sickness claims increasing by 500% since 2013.

While cold-calling on the phone remains the most common approach to unsuspecting members of the public, they are also contacting them via text, email and social media.

Abta said they often mislead people into believing there’s a substantial amount of money waiting for them if they make a claim.

The research also found the problem is only really prevalent in the UK but already tour operators are fighting back with a number of successful convictions now made against people making fraudulent claims.

As a result of these findings Abta’s ‘Stop Sickness Scams’ campaign is continuing to call for the closure of a loophole in the law, which enables management companies to make more money from sickness claims abroad than they are from personal injuries in the UK.

Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer 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.”