Sue Perkins' Partner Anna Richardson Reveals They Lost THOUSANDS After Being Scammed Online

Sue Perkins' partner Anna Richardson recently appeared onLoose Women, to speak about the devastating moment she and the GBBO host were tricked online.

TV presenter Anna, who has been with Sue for over three years, revealed that she was simply trying to book a family holiday with her partner, when the scam occurred.

Speaking to the panellists, Anna admitted that she didn't actually recognise the website she was booking the holiday with, but was reassured after speaking to someone over the phone.

"A couple of years ago I was booking a family holiday. I went on a website and then called the person.

"I asked for the chaps details because I didn't recognise the website.

"He faxed me over loads of stuff. I paid thousands of pounds for the accommodation, and poof, he just disappeared."

Anna confessed that the scam hit her hard, leaving her feeling "so stupid" that she had fallen for the trick.

She continued, "I got nothing back. Goodbye money. You feel so stupid."

Being scammed out of your money when paying for a holiday is sadly an all too common occurrence. But there are ways to help make sure that it doesn't happen to you.

When searching for a holiday, make sure that the website you're looking on is verified by The Association of Independent Tour Operators.

Looking for signs including AITO, ABTA, ATOL and CAA on a website, means that the holiday company is verified and real, and also that it has financial protection should things go wrong - meaning you're more likely to get your money back.

Package holidays are also a good way to ensure your financial safety, given that you'll then just have one place to claim back your money back from if something does go wrong.

While paying by cash or debit card are some of the usual ways to finance a holiday, paying by credit card can actually be safer bet financially. Credit card payments can be traced, and often, the company can provide you with your money back if all doesn't go to plan.

And, of course, it's always advised that you keep on top of insurance paperwork to ensure you're being protected.

Reviews of any holiday company, or independent villa owner, for example, are also a good way to ensure they are legitimate - if a company has lots of bad reviews, avoid it.