Medium riskRental

Caravan Pitch Fee Scam

In this scam, a holiday park pitch, static caravan plot, or siting agreement is offered cheaply, but the 'operator' demands upfront pitch fees or deposits for a plot that does not exist or is not theirs to let.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Advance-fee (holiday park pitch)
Main red flag
A holiday park pitch or siting deal needing upfront fees before visiting or verifying.
What to do first
Visit the park and verify with park management before paying anything.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, a holiday park pitch, static caravan plot, or siting agreement is offered cheaply, but the 'operator' demands upfront pitch fees or deposits for a plot that does not exist or is not theirs to let.

Rental scams advertise properties that are not available, not owned by the "landlord", or do not exist, to collect deposits and first-month rent from hopeful tenants. They pressure you to pay before viewing and to move money by transfer.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A holiday park pitch or siting deal needing upfront fees before visiting or verifying. Visit the park and verify with park management before paying anything.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Timeshare Resale Scam or the Vacation Rental Scam, browse the Rental & Housing Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

Hundreds of millions
real-estate and rental fraud reported to the FBI runs into the hundreds of millions of dollars a year
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
$12.5B
total reported internet-crime losses in the US in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Great pitch at our holiday park, low annual fee. Pay the siting deposit now to reserve before it's taken.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A holiday park pitch or siting deal needing upfront fees before visiting or verifying.

Red flags to watch for

  • Upfront pitch or siting fees before visiting
  • An operator not affiliated with the real park
  • Fees well below normal park rates
  • Payment by transfer or gift card
  • Pressure to reserve quickly

What to do

  • Visit the park and verify with official park management
  • Confirm the operator's right to let the pitch
  • Pay by traceable methods with documented terms
  • Be wary of below-market fees and pressure

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you paid, contact your bank or payment provider to try to recover it
  • Report the listing and operator to the platform and park
  • Keep all messages and payment records
  • Report the scam to your local fraud authority

What not to do

  • Do not pay pitch fees before visiting or verifying
  • Do not pay by irreversible methods
  • Do not trust an operator you cannot confirm with the park

Similar scams

High risk Marketplace

Timeshare Resale Scam

Timeshare owners are often contacted out of the blue by a company claiming it already has a buyer lined up, or that it can sell or rent the timeshare quickly. The catch is an upfront payment dressed up as a 'listing fee', 'transfer fee', 'closing cost', or even foreign 'taxes'. Once the money is paid the promised sale stalls, and the buyer turns out not to exist. This pattern is commonly used to target people who already feel stuck with ongoing maintenance fees and are keen to offload the property.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Rental

Vacation Rental Scam

This scam uses a fake or hijacked holiday rental listing, often with copied photos and a below-market price, to pressure you into paying a deposit off-platform by bank transfer for a property that is not actually available.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Marketplace

Caravan Sale Scam

In this scam, a caravan or motorhome is advertised at a good price, but the seller demands a deposit before viewing, often claiming to be away, for a vehicle that does not exist or is not theirs.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

How do I arrange a caravan pitch safely?
Visit the park, verify with official park management, confirm the operator's right to let it, and pay by traceable methods with documented terms.
Is a cheap pitch fee a warning sign?
Fees well below normal, plus upfront payment before visiting, are warning signs. Verify with the park first.
I paid a siting deposit. What now?
Contact your bank or payment provider to try to recover it, report the operator to the park and platform, and keep your evidence.
Should I confirm with the park directly?
Yes. Always confirm any pitch or siting arrangement with official park management before paying.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.