WITH many jetting off to warmer climates this summer, Essex Trading Standards (ETS) has issued a warning to holidaymakers to be extra vigilant when booking airport parking.

Each year, officers receive numerous reports by people returning from their holidays to find out they have unwittingly used bogus airport parking companies. Many of these holidaymakers return to their vehicles to find damage, content theft and unexpected mileage.

With so much to do before embarking on a holiday, people will often only look at price and availability online. However, without looking into the company or the offer in more detail, this could lead to issues and upset on their return.

Essex Trading Standards advises that when booking airport parking people should always:

• Choose a reputable company. Use one of the main car parking companies whose name you recognise.
• Visit the official airport website. All of the major UK airport websites have links to approved parking sites.
• Look closely at the website you are considering using, do they have full contact details to allow you to query anything and complain, if necessary?
• If possible, pre-book in advance. You will then be able to get the best price and compare different options.
• When you leave your vehicle make sure there are no valuables left in it. If possible, take photos of the car to show its condition when you left it.

Cabinet Member with responsibility for Essex Trading Standards, Cllr Graham Butland said: “We all know what it’s like when returning home from a holiday, we want to load the suitcases in the car and get back to our home comforts. No one wants their holiday ruined when going to collect their car.

“Booking a holiday can be stressful when there is lots to do, but I would urge everyone to spend an extra five minutes following Trading Standards advice. Make sure you are booking a reputable company, ensure no valuables are left in your car and take a couple of photos of your car before you leave it. Those extra five minutes might save you a lot of hassle in the long run.”

If you have been affected by bogus airport parking you can report through the CiTA (the Citizens Advice Consumer Service) on 0808 223 1133.