TT visitors falling victim to accommodation scams

Police aware of a number of people who've lost out

Police say they are aware of a number of TT visitors who have been scammed by people offering bogus holiday accommodation.

TT 2022 marks the first time the Island has welcomed motorsport visitors since 2019 – thanks to Covid-19 cancellations.

But for some of the thousands travelling to Manx shores they’ve arrived to find issues with their accommodation – or, in some cases, no accommodation at all.

Reports have been received of people have been scammed out of their money by so-called hosts whilst others have found properties which aren’t fit for purpose.

Sergeant Andy Reed is the media officer for the Isle of Man Constabulary:

Margaret Cain, and her friends Sandra Diamond and Barbara Keene, run a TT accommodation group on Facebook which helps people in need – they volunteer their time to help people who find themselves stuck without somewhere to stay:  

By law properties which are rented out for the TT period are required to be registered under the Manx Government’s Homestay scheme – the running of which is outsourced to MiQuando Limited.

Director Nigel Jones says people do need to check that the properties they book are registered officially to avoid being scammed:  

You can find out more about the Homestay scheme HERE.