Security Corner Blog

Summer is the perfect time to get away, relax, and explore new destinations. However, with the excitement of planning a summer vacation comes the risk of falling victim to sneaky travel scams. Here are some common travel scams to watch out for and tips on how to avoid them during your summer travels.

Common Summer Travel Scams

Fake Travel Websites

Scammers create convincing but fake travel websites that mimic legitimate ones, offering enticing summer deals. Once you book, your money and vacation plans vanish.

How to Avoid: Always verify the website's URL and look for secure payment symbols (like a padlock icon in the address bar). Use well-known travel booking sites or book directly with the airline or hotel.

Suspicious Payment Requests

If a summer travel deal requires you to pay via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, it's likely a scam. Legitimate companies will accept credit cards or other secure forms of payment.

How to Avoid: Never pay for travel services using untraceable methods. Stick to credit cards, which often offer fraud protection.

‘You’ve-Just-Won-a-Free-Vacation’ Notices

Unsolicited notifications claiming you've won a free vacation are usually scams designed to steal your personal information or money.

How to Avoid: Ignore such notices unless you’ve entered a legitimate contest. Verify any such claims with the contest organizers.

Cash App Scams

Scammers may request payment through apps like Cash App, promising summer travel deals but disappearing after receiving the money.

How to Avoid: Only use payment apps for transactions with people or companies you know and trust. Verify the legitimacy of the recipient before sending any money.

Hotel Scams

Fraudsters may call your hotel room pretending to be from the front desk and ask for your credit card information to fix an issue with your booking.

How to Avoid: Never give out your credit card information over the phone. Go to the front desk in person if there’s an issue.

Airline Scams

Scammers might offer incredibly cheap airline tickets or pretend to be airline customer service, asking for your personal information.

How to Avoid: Book directly through the airline’s official website or a reputable travel agency. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.

Rideshare & Taxi Scams

Drivers might take longer routes, quote inflated prices, or even take you to a different hotel that pays them a commission.

How to Avoid: Use rideshare apps that provide fare estimates and track your route. For taxis, agree on a fare before starting your journey or ensure the meter is used.

Customer Support Scams

Fake customer support numbers found online can lead to scammers who steal your information under the guise of helping with travel bookings.

How to Avoid: Use official customer support numbers found on the company's website. Don’t rely on numbers provided by search engines or emails.

"Helpful" Locals Scam

Some locals might offer unsolicited help, such as carrying your bags or giving directions, only to demand a large tip or fee afterward.

How to Avoid: Politely decline unsolicited help. If you need assistance, approach someone yourself, such as a hotel staff member or official guide.

Best Overall Practices to Avoid Summer Travel Scams

• Know and Trust the Recipient: Don’t send money to people or companies you don’t know or can’t verify as legitimate.
• Avoid Clicking on Unsolicited Links: Be wary of links in unsolicited emails, text messages, or online ads. These could be phishing attempts designed to steal your information.
• Use Caution with QR Codes: While convenient, QR codes can be used by scammers to direct you to fraudulent websites. Verify the legitimacy of the source before scanning.
• Research and Verify: Always research companies, hotels, and services before making a booking. Look for reviews and ratings on trusted websites.
• Use Secure Payment Methods: Pay with credit cards, which offer fraud protection and can be disputed if something goes wrong.
• Beware of Upfront Fees: Be cautious if asked to pay large upfront fees. Legitimate bookings typically require only a small deposit.
• Check for Pressure Tactics: Avoid deals that pressure you into making a quick decision. Scammers often use urgency to trick you into acting without thinking.

How to Shop for Travel

Get Recommendations from Trusted Sources

Talk to family and friends or other trusted sources about good travel agencies, vacation rentals, hotels, and travel packages. Their experiences can provide valuable insights and help you avoid scams.

Consider Using a Travel App

Travel apps can help you search for airfares and hotel rates, and some even offer fare alerts and real-time deals. However, ensure you know whether you’re buying from the app company or the actual airline or resort, as this can affect refunds or travel points.

Use Comparison Websites and Applications

When shopping for airfares, be aware that comparison websites and applications may charge more for services like changing or canceling a flight. Make sure you know whether you’re buying a ticket or just making a reservation.

Ask About Mandatory Hotel “Resort Fees” and Taxes

You can’t compare rates for different hotels unless you know about all the fees. If a hotel's website isn’t clear about these, call the hotel and ask about any mandatory charges and taxes, which can be significant in many places.

Check Travel Insurance Licenses

If you’re buying travel insurance, make sure the agency is licensed. You can verify this on the US Travel Insurance Association’s website. Also, make a copy of your insurance card to take with you on your trip.

Verify Charter Flights

Before paying for charter flights, check that they are listed on the approved public charter flights of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Additionally, check the charter operator's legitimacy with local travel agents or the American Society of Travel Agents.

What If You Do Fall Victim to a Travel Scheme?

1. Report the Scam: Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to report the fraud and possibly reverse the charges.
2. File a Complaint: Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other relevant authorities.
3. Notify the Platform: If the scam occurred on a booking platform or app, inform them so they can take action against the scammer.
4. Stay Informed: Follow up on your report and stay informed about the latest scams to protect yourself in the future.

How to Spot a Vacation Scam

• Upfront Fees: Be wary of requests for large upfront payments. Legitimate bookings typically require only a small deposit.
• Specific Payment Methods: Scammers often request payments via wire transfer or other untraceable methods. Always use secure payment methods.
• Skimpy Details and Absent Reviews: If a vacation deal lacks details or reviews, it might be a scam. Research thoroughly before booking.
• Too Good to Be True Prices: If a deal seems unbelievably low, it probably is. Verify the deal by checking reviews and doing a quick online search for scams.
• Pressure Tactics: Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to get you to act quickly. Take your time to verify the legitimacy of the offer.

By staying informed and vigilant, you can protect yourself from travel scams and enjoy a safe and worry-free summer vacation. Happy travels!

For more information on summer travel scams, see the FTC's article Avoid Scams When You Travel.

Article content is provided for information purposes only.