Football fans heading to the World Cup later this month are being urged to check that their travel firm is a legitimate Atol holder.
The Civil Aviation Authority called on those planning to fly to Qatar to make sure their bookings are Atol protected “and not ruined by booking fake deals or being ripped off by people falsely posing as reputable travel agents”.
The tournament takes place from November 20 to December 18 with England and Wales participating.
CAA consumers and markets director Paul Smith said: “Football fans need to know the score before booking to make sure they can enjoy the World Cup in Qatar.
“Nobody wants to score an own goal by not doing their research on their chosen travel firm and losing out as a result.
“Depending on how England and Wales progress some people might be tempted to make a last-minute booking to Qatar – hopefully football will be the winner with everyone enjoying a trouble-free trip.”
The aviation regulator also issued top tips for football fans before they travel to Qatar.
These include checking financial protection if booking with a non-UK company.
“There are some non-UK travel companies which offer World Cup tours to UK consumers. These products should be Atol protected, but do your research and check our website to ensure they hold an ATOL and provide the appropriate financial protection,” the CAA added.