European Consumer Centre warns about 'free holiday' scams

Consumers are being warned to beware of "free holiday" promotion scams, which could be making their way into homes across the country.

The promotions are offered to consumers via scratch cards and direct mailings and look for an administrative fee to guarantee a booking.

Already the European Consumer Centre has received hundreds of complaints.

Tina Leonard from the centre has said if anyone is asked for money to book a "free" holiday, alarm bells should start ringing.

"The free holiday of course isn't free at all. There is an administration fee involved and, very often, many other fees as well. What happens in the end is that you are paying a lot of money for something you initially thought was free."