Buzz
As summer approaches, 53% of Americans are planning at least one vacation, and unfortunately, scammers are ready to target travelers at every turn. Whether you're booking flights or cars online, dealing with airport transactions, or even checking into your hotel, fraudulent schemes abound. And these aren't just your typical phishing attempts; according to the Better Business Bureau reports, some of these pandemic-driven scams are sophisticated tactics that have even the most cautious consumers falling prey. Let's take a closer look at the most frequent travel frauds and how to steer clear of them.
Phony airline reservation websites
The scam: While browsing for travel bargains online, you might stumble upon an irresistible offer from a website you've never encountered. The site appears professional, complete with branded content, auto-complete search features, and working calendars to help you book flights or accommodations (either directly or through a customer service line). Sadly, the site is fraudulent, designed to steal your payment details and personal information.
How to avoid this scam: Before entering any personal details, always verify unfamiliar websites. Be cautious of sites that lack a secure connection, indicated by the padlock symbol next to 'https://' in the address bar when you're making a reservation. These fraudulent sites may also include obvious errors like nonsensical filler text, which should raise red flags.
Vanishing vacation rental listings
Fake TSA precheck services
The fraud: Fraudulent websites are targeting people who are eager to speed up their airport security process, offering services such as TSA Precheck, Global Entry, and the Canadian equivalent, NEXUS. These counterfeit sites attempt to collect 'application' or 'service' fees, which only serve to steal your money and personal information. Worse, scammers can easily access sensitive data like passport numbers or social security details due to the nature of the service.
How to avoid falling victim: Be cautious of poorly designed sites and always stick to the official TSA Precheck or NEXUS websites when applying for expedited airport security clearance.
Fraudulent car rental advertisements
The scam: With car rental prices seeing a 30% hike compared to last year, many customers are eager to find the best deal. Scammers have seized this opportunity by creating fake online ads that direct individuals to a hotline where a “customer service agent” will trick you into revealing your credit card details or offer a “special promotion” in exchange for gift cards or prepaid debit cards.
How to steer clear of this scam: Always conduct a separate search to confirm that the phone number you're dialing belongs to the legitimate car rental company. Be cautious of any “too good to be true” offers, particularly those in random online ads. (If gift cards are involved, it’s likely a scam.)
Hacking risks with airport and hotel Wifi connections
The scam: Fraudsters often set up counterfeit Wi-Fi networks that resemble those you expect to use. These networks may have generic names like 'Free Public Wifi' or be tailored to your location, such as 'Marriott Wifi.' Once you're connected, hackers may attempt to access your personal data, including passwords and banking details.
How to avoid this scam: Always double-check that the Wi-Fi network you are connecting to is affiliated with a legitimate business like a store, airport, or hotel. It’s also wise to use a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your data when connecting to unsecured networks.
Fake Front Desk Scams
The scam: A scammer calls your hotel room pretending to be a front desk employee. They claim there’s an issue with the credit card on file and request you to verify your credit card details over the phone.
How to avoid this scam: If there’s any problem with your credit card, address it directly at the front desk rather than giving sensitive information over the phone.
