travel agent scams

How To Avoid Travel Agency Scams (And Fake Booking Sites)

Fraudsters advertise cheap travel via fake websites, social media ads, and phishing messages. Learn how to spot and avoid common online travel scams.

Irina Maltseva

Contributor at Aura

Irina Maltseva is a growth marketer with 10+ years of experience in digital marketing. After being scammed by Airbnb and Booking.com, Irina joined Aura to help the company on its mission to create a safer internet for everyone.

Jory MacKay

Aura Cybersecurity Editor

Jory MacKay is a writer and award-winning editor with over a decade of experience for online and print publications. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Victoria and a passion for helping people identify and avoid fraud.

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Is It Safe To Book With an Online Travel Agent? 

It’s more common than ever for Americans to book travel online, either directly or through a third-party booking site. But is it safe to book travel online? Not always.

Scammers use fake, spoofed, or misleading online travel booking websites to steal your money and passwords or gather personal information that they can use to steal your identity. According to a recent survey [ * ]:

35% of American travelers say they’ve been scammed while booking online travel.

While travel agency scams pose a year-round threat, they become especially dangerous during the holiday scam season when more people are looking for travel deals to visit family or get away on vacations. 

In this guide, we’ll explain how online travel booking scams work, the latest schemes to watch out for, and how you can stay safe and find a great deal on your next flight, hotel, or vacation.

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What Are Travel Agency Scams? How Do They Work?

Travel agency scams occur when fraudsters advertise cheap airfare or “free” vacations on fake websites and social media ads, or through phishing emails, texts, and calls — and then trick you into sharing sensitive information or sending money.

What makes travel booking scams so dangerous is that travelers are accustomed to providing payment and personal information when paying for flights. This includes everything from your credit card numbers to your Social Security number (SSN), passport details, and full address. 

If scammers get access to this kind of personal information, they can use it to steal your identity , empty your bank account, or take over your online accounts .

Here’s how a typical travel agency scam works: 

• Fraudsters create fake travel agencies, or they spoof popular booking sites like Booking.com and Expedia . Most travel scams involve fake — but legitimate-looking — websites for travel companies. Fraudsters may create their own discount travel websites or even spoof popular booking sites. Some scammers even post fake support phone numbers on Google in hopes that you’ll call them when you need to book or change flight details.
• When you call or book online, you’re asked for personal and financial information. These scam services are designed to harvest your personal information or steal your payment details. Even if you end up with a legitimate flight, your information can be sold online to other scammers or identity thieves. (Stolen and forged American passports sell for an average of $850 on the Dark Web [ * ].)
• After booking, you discover that the flight details are different. Fraudulent airline ticket confirmation numbers won’t match real flights, and hotels won’t know about your reservation. If you try to call the “agency” back to resolve these issues, either their number will be disconnected or they’ll pressure you into paying more to “solve” the problem.

While some travel scams are flat out fraud, others are run by legitimate companies that charge excessive add-on fees, have non-existent refund policies, or sell misleading offers at too-good-to-be true discounts. 

The bottom line: Falling for a travel agency scam can put you and your family at risk of fraud or even identity theft. Consider protecting yourself with Aura’s all-in-one digital security solution. Learn more about how Aura keeps you safe from scams, fraud, and identity theft →

The 5 Latest Travel Agency and Online Booking Scams

• Spoofed Booking.com , Expedia , and other booking sites
• Unfamiliar websites offering bargain deals for expensive flights
• Fraudulent airline customer support numbers in Google searches
• Robocalls or messages offering "free" vacation packages
• Follow-up phone calls asking for more information about your booking

Creating online travel and airline scams isa high priority for scammers who know that people are willing to pay serious money and provide sensitive information to get good deals on flights and hotels. 

Here are some of the latest online booking scams to look out for.

1. Spoofed Booking.com , Expedia , and other booking sites

Scammers know that many people who book travel online trust sites like Expedia , Booking.com , and Airbnb . 

In this scam, fraudsters create look-alike websites to mirror these booking platforms, and then link to them via phishing emails or social media ads. But if you book a flight, hotel, or vacation rental through one of these spoofed sites, you’ll lose your money and hand over sensitive information to cybercriminals.

These look-alikes aren’t limited to booking sites. Scammers also spoof major airline carriers — phishing for airline credentials and stealing credit card information that users store in their accounts. 

How to spot and avoid a fake or spoofed travel booking website:

• Double-check the URL. Scammers create websites with URLs that look similar to sites with which you’re familiar (such as Airbnb-booking.com ). Always make sure you’re on the company’s official domain before entering any information. For added protection, check the site’s SSL certificate by clicking on the padlock icon next to the URL, and make sure it was issued to the travel company through which you’re trying to book your reservation.  
• Hover over links in emails before clicking. If you receive an email or see an ad promoting a travel deal, check the link before clicking to ensure that it leads to the company’s official website. 
• Be wary if your usual login information doesn’t work. Fake websites won’t know your username and password. If you get an error when trying to log in, or if you’re redirected back to the login page, you may have given your password to fraudsters. Quickly log in and change your credentials to secure your account.  ‍
• Don’t store financial data in your loyalty accounts. Scammers can crack your password or steal it from a bogus site, giving them full access to your credit card details. Although inconvenient, it’s much safer to physically type in your credit card or loyalty plan number each time you make a purchase.

2. Sketchy travel agencies offering bargain deals for expensive flights

One of the most common travel booking scams involves con artists advertising cheap travel packages on social media platforms or via phishing scams. But this is much more elaborate than just a fake ticket scam. 

Fraudsters purchase and sell what’s called a “reservation hold.” This is a tool used by legitimate travel agencies to hold a ticket price without paying the full amount. When you purchase a “hold,” you receive an official email or text from the airline with a booking confirmation number that works — but only for a week, until the hold expires. 

How to spot and avoid a discount travel scam:

• Avoid “too good to be true” deals. Heavily discounted plane tickets or vacation deals are red flags. If you can’t find the same or a similar deal on the airline’s website (or on trustworthy third-party booking sites), it’s most likely a scam. 
• Always request that an e-ticket number be sent to you. Holds can look identical to travel confirmations but won’t contain a ticket number. If you haven’t given up your payment information yet, don’t — it’s a scam.

💡 Related: How To Spot and Avoid the Latest Airline Scams →

3. Fraudulent airline customer support numbers in Google searches

Scammers list their phone numbers as airline customer service hotlines to attract a constant flow of potential victims. People desperate to change or rebook their flights search for the airline’s customer service phone number via Google, and call one of the first results to show up — not realizing that it may have been manipulated by scammers. 

How to tell if you’ve called a spam number:

• You called a number that appeared in a Google search. Victims have reported calling spoofed customer service numbers that appeared to be from Air France , Delta , American Airlines , and Southwest Airlines [ * ]. The best way to ensure that you call a verified support line is to go to the airline’s official website, find its customer service center, and call the number listed there.
• You’re redirected multiple times. Scammers use technology to spoof their phone numbers to include U.S.-based area codes. When you call those numbers, you’ll speak to someone who redirects you to an international phone number. This may happen several times before you speak with a “representative.”
• They send you texts from a different number. Help desk employees send a confirmation to you via text from a phone number you’ve never seen before. Sometimes, these texts contain spelling or grammatical errors or incorrect flight information.

💡 Related: How To Identify a Scammer On The Phone (With Examples) →

4. Robocalls or messages offering "free" vacation packages

While the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) prevents legitimate telemarketing companies from calling you without your consent, scammers still use robocalls to target millions of potential victims every day [ * ]. 

One of the most popular schemes involves offering “free” vacation packages, or claiming you’re the winner of a sweepstakes you never entered. If you accept the prize, you end up either paying more for a bad vacation — or worse. 

Here’s what could happen on a “free” vacation:

• You’re hard-sold during a timeshare presentation. As part of the “prize,” fraudsters may pressure you into buying into an expensive real estate timeshare in Mexico (or other foreign countries).
• You have to pay for taxes, fees, and other hidden costs. While the flight and hotel may be free, scammers ask for your credit card information to pay for expensive (and unmentioned) fees, taxes, and costs. 
• Your hotel and flight are significantly worse than promised. When you ask specific questions about accommodations and activities, scammers say it’s “highly rated” or “luxury” instead of providing concrete details. You’re almost certainly not getting a five-star hotel for free from a random robocall.
• You won’t have travel insurance. These holidays won’t offer or be covered by travel insurance, meaning that if you have a medical emergency, or if a natural disaster prevents you from traveling, you’ll be on the hook. 

The bottom line: If you’re offered or told that you’ve won a free vacation from a random robocall, it’s a scam. To keep you safe, Aura uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically screen your incoming calls and texts, and can block scammers before they reach you. Learn more about how Aura saves you from spam and scams →

5. Follow-up phone calls asking for more information about your booking

In this sophisticated scam, fraudsters use cheap or last-minute flights as bait — and then call you directly after you book to claim that there was an issue with your personal information, credit card, or the flight itself. 

For example, they may claim they need your SSN to “secure” your ticket, or that your credit card was declined and you will lose the ticket unless you use a wire transfer or payment app. 

How to tell if someone is scamming you over the phone:

• They called you. Consider any incoming call from an unfamiliar number or person a red flag. If someone calls you claiming to be from an airline or travel agency, hang up and call them back via the company’s official phone number. 
• You’re put under pressure to act now . Phone scammers want you to act while they have you on the phone. If someone threatens you with fees or “losing” a flight that you’ve already paid for, this is a huge red flag. 
• You’re asked to pay via alternative methods. Legitimate companies will not ask you to pay via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrencies, or payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App. Always try to book and pay with your credit card, as it offers the highest level of consumer and fraud protections.

Did You Fall for a Travel Agency Scam? Do This

Whether you sent money or gave sensitive information to a fake travel booking site, you need to act quickly to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft. 

Here’s what to do if you think you’ve been the victim of a travel agency scam: 

• Secure your identity and online accounts. Fake travel booking websites can steal your passwords or give hackers enough information to access your other online accounts (email, online banking, etc.). Make sure you’re using unique and strong passwords across all of your accounts. For added security, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. 
• Freeze your credit. A credit freeze can prevent fraudsters from using your stolen information to take out loans or open accounts in your name. To freeze your credit, contact each of the three credit bureaus individually: TransUnion , Experian , and Equifax .
• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). An official identity theft report with the FTC is required to dispute fraud and protect you against some of the worst dangers of identity theft . You can file a report online at IdentityTheft.gov. 
• Check your bank and credit statements. Carefully review your latest transactions, and look for any suspicious activity. You can also run a free credit report on AnnualCreditReport.com to look for signs of identity theft, such as unfamiliar loans, accounts, or mortgages.
• Notify your bank’s fraud department. Call your bank’s official customer service line and ask to close any compromised accounts or cards. They’ll be able to help you open new ones and recommend additional security features.
• Report the scam to the proper authorities. There are different agencies to contact, depending on the type of scam to which you’ve fallen prey (and what happened). If you have information that could lead to an arrest, file a police report with local law enforcement. To file a consumer complaint against a company in the travel industry, contact your state’s attorney general’s office . You can also help protect other victims by reporting the scam to the FBI and the FTC.
• Try to get your money back. Your ability to get a refund after a scam depends on the payment method used. For example, if you sent a scammer gift cards, contact the company or retailer from which you bought the cards. For payment apps like Venmo or Zelle, you can try to reverse pending payments. Here’s a full guide on how to get your money back . 
• Monitor your passport numbers and other sensitive information. Scammers may wait to use your stolen personal information, which is why it’s so important to monitor your identity and credit. Try Aura’s award-winning identity theft protection solution free for 14 days to monitor your sensitive information and get access to 24/7 White Glove Fraud Resolution support and up to $5 million in identity theft insurance. 

How To Stay Safe While Booking Online Travel

While everyone would love to get a great deal on their next trip, legitimate deals are hard to find. 

The truth is that, in most cases, the best and safest thing you can do is book through official channels. It may cost a bit more, but you’ll know that your flight is real and that you’ll have access to proper support in the case of a problem. 

If you choose to use a third-party booking site or travel agency, make sure you follow these steps to keep yourself and your family safe: 

• Google “travel agencies” and check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Do a Google search for [Agency/website] + “scam” or “fraud” to find reviews or warnings from previous customers. You can also check the company’s reviews on the Better Business Bureau ’s website.
• Use standard payment methods. Credit card providers offer fraud protection and limited liability if you do get scammed — which is much safer compared to other payment options such as debit cards, payment apps, wire transfers, and gift cards. 
• Use a virtual private network (VPN) when shopping for flights. A VPN will block your location, IP address, and other information from websites, making it harder for scammers to target you with tailored airline scams. As an added bonus, using a VPN can often uncover legitimate deals on flights. 
• Don’t disclose personal information over the phone. If someone calls you and requests sensitive information — such as your passport details , SSN, credit card numbers, or 2FA codes — it’s almost certainly a scam. Hang up, and contact the company or agency directly. 

Booking travel online doesn’t have to be risky — especially if you protect yourself with Aura’s all-in-one digital security solution. 

With Aura, you get award-winning identity theft protection with the industry’s fastest fraud alerts, advanced digital security tools to protect you from hacking and online scams, 24/7 U.S.-based White Glove Fraud Resolution support, and up to $5 million in identity theft insurance for you and your family. 

Don’t let travel scammers ruin your trip. Try Aura free for 14 days .

Editorial note: Our articles provide educational information for you to increase awareness about digital safety. Aura’s services may not provide the exact features we write about, nor may cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat discussed in our articles. Please review our Terms during enrollment or setup for more information. Remember that no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime.

Award-winning identity theft protection with AI-powered digital security tools, 24/7 White Glove support, and more. Try Aura for free .

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Avoid These Three Online Travel Scams

Fraudsters may target you when you book vacations and make hotel reservations, sharing is nice.

We respect your privacy . All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story.

When was the last time you consulted a live travel agent? In the course of the past few years, the travel booking business has gone almost 100 percent online. It's not surprising, then, that scammers and schemers are manipulating the Internet to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. 

Charlie Abrahams, senior vice president at MarkMonitor , which helps companies protect their brand online, spotlights three travel scams that have been sneaking into the industry:

Phishing.  Until recently, most phishing attempts targeted the financial services industry, trying to lure consumers into revealing their account numbers and passwords. But as banks and brokerage firms strengthened their defenses, phishers started moving to other industries. "Travel is one of the most popular targets at the moment," says Abrahams.

Here's how they operate. Scammers target repeat customers of everything from online booking agents to hotel chains. You'll receive an email warning you that, for example, your Marriott points are going to expire or that your preferred booking agent is offering you a discount. The email provides a link and urges you to log in right away. But when you type in your login information, the phisher captures your personal information—name, address, credit card number—and may download malware onto your computer. 

To protect yourself from these kinds of travel scams, never click on email links. "If you get an email imploring you to log in, be very cautious about inputting password or credential information," says Abrahams. "It's likely to be a trap." Instead, log on to the legitimate site to confirm the request.

Have your plans been derailed by travel scams?

Tell us what happened in the comments section below.

Pay-per-click scams.  As an online industry, travel is a business in which success is driven by clicks—whether those clicks lead to a legitimate site or one that attempts to lure consumers elsewhere.

If you search for the name of a specific hotel, chances are that the first listing that comes up will be an advertisement for a booking service, not   the site of the specific hotel. While that's often a perfectly above-board partnership, it may not always produce the best deal for consumers. What's not acceptable is when fraudsters use search keywords to divert consumers to illegitimate sites offering counterfeit airline tickets or fake hotel vouchers.

So what should you do? Check out more than one site to compare deals. Don't forget to look up the rates on the hotel's website or an airline's website, which may offer special prices. For hotels, you can also go old-school and call the hotel directly—not the central reservations number—to inquire about discounts from a human who has up-to-date, on-the-ground information. If you are alert to travel scams, you should be able to spot this one.

Search engine manipulation.  Also known as " black hat SEOs " (for the black hats worn by villains in old film Westerns) or "cyber-squatting," this twist on search engine manipulation is used by scammers who insert other companies' brands, slogans or trademarks to imply a relationship that doesn't exist.

A consumer might find his search derailed by fraudsters using a well-known brand or trademark in their website content to boost their credibility when, in fact, no such partnership exists. Or scammers may "squat" on the URL for a website that sounds like what you're looking for—say, MarriottLosAngeles.com—and stuff it with advertisements for cruises and tours that haven't been approved by Marriott.

This practice is distracting and annoying but it's not actually malicious. To avoid it, type in web addresses carefully and check to be sure you're at the official site.

Catherine Fredman

I write about personal finance—for the past two years at Consumer Reports, where I specialize in unearthing scams and fraud.

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Avoid Scams When You Travel

Common Travel Scams

Signs of a scam, 3 ways to avoid travel scams, how to shop for travel, report travel scams, “free” vacations.

You’ve probably seen ads online for “free” vacations. Or you may have gotten emails, calls, or text messages saying you’ve won a vacation, even though you never entered a contest. If you respond to these offers, you’ll quickly learn that you have to pay some fees and taxes first — so your “free” vacation isn’t really free. A legitimate company won’t ask you to pay for a free prize.

Robocalls about vacation deals

You might get robocalls offering you vacation deals at a discounted price. Robocalls from companies trying to sell you something are illegal unless the companies got written permission, directly from you, to call you that way. If someone is already breaking the law by robocalling you without permission, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. At the very least, it’s a company you don’t want to do business with.

International travel document scams

You might see sites that claim to be able to help you get an international travel visa, passport, or other documents. These sites are just copycats of the U.S. Department of State website. But these sites charge you high fees, including fees for services that are free on the U.S. Department of State's website.

International driving permit scams

An international driving permit (IDP) translates your government-issued driver’s license into 10 languages. Scammers create websites to sell fake IDPs, or try to sell them to you in person or some other way. If you buy a fake IDP, you’ll be paying for a worthless document. But, even worse, you also could face legal problems or travel delays if you’re detained for using it to drive in a foreign country. Only the  U.S. Department of State , the American Automobile Association (AAA), and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are authorized to issue IDPs.

Vacation home scams

These days, it’s easy to connect directly with property owners who advertise their vacation homes online. But scammers are also trying to get your rental booking . For example, they hijack real rental listings and advertise them as their own, so when you show up for your vacation, you find out that other people are also booked for the same property. You have no place to stay, and your money is gone. Other scammers don’t bother with real rentals — they make up listings for places that aren’t really for rent or don’t exist.

Charter flight scams

You may get a flyer in the mail, see an ad, or hear from someone in your community about an offer to travel by private plane to some place you’d like to go. The offer may even include lodging and sightseeing tours. You think you’re signing up for a charter flight and vacation package, but after you pay, you find out it’s all a scam. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Special Authorities Division maintains a list of approved public charter flights . If the charter filing is not approved by DOT before the package is sold, you’re probably dealing with a dishonest charter operator.

• Scammers say it's a “free” vacation that you have to pay for. They often try to get your attention by saying you won something, but then making you pay to get it. If you have to pay, it’s not really free — and all those fees and taxes can add up to hundreds of dollars.
• Scammers don't give specific details about the travel offer. The offer says you’ll stay at a “five-star” resort or go on a “luxury” cruise ship. But if the organizer can’t or won’t give you more specific details, like the address of the hotel or the cruise company's name, walk away. 
• Scammers say the only way to pay for your vacation rental is by wire transfer , gift card , or cryptocurrency . This is how they ask you to pay because once they’ve collected the money, it’s almost impossible to get it back. That’s a scam, every time.
• Scammers pressure you to make a quick decision about a vacation package or rental. If someone says you have to decide whether to buy a travel package or rent a vacation property right away, don’t do it. Scammers want to rush you. So move on and find another option.
• Scammers advertise premium vacation properties for super cheap prices. Is the rent a lot less than comparable rentals? Below-market rent can be a sign of a scam. 
• Don’t sign or pay until you know  the terms  of the deal. Get a copy of the cancellation and refund policies before you pay. If you can’t get those details, walk away. Say “no thanks” to anyone who tries to rush you without giving you time to consider the offer.
• Do some research. Look up travel companies, hotels, rentals, and agents with the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” See what others say about them before you commit. Also, check that the address of the property really exists. If the property is located in a resort, call the front desk and confirm their location and other details on the contract.
• Don’t pay with wire transfers , gift cards , or cryptocurrency . Dishonest travel package promoters might tell you to pay in one of these ways, but that’s a sure sign of a scam. If you pay with wire transfers, gifts cards, or cryptocurrency and there’s a problem with what you paid for, you’ll lose your money, and there’s likely no way to track it or get it back.
• Get recommendations from trusted sources. Talk to family and friends or other trusted sources about good travel agencies, vacation rentals, hotels, and travel packages.
• Check out comparison websites and apps. Travel apps can help you search for airfares and hotel rates, and some even give you fare alerts and real-time deals. But make sure you know whether you’re buying from the app company or the actual airline or resort. It can affect things like whether you can get a refund or travel points, and the price for services like changing or canceling a flight. Also, 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 you’re not sure whether a hotel’s website is showing you the total price, call the hotel and ask about a “resort fee” or any other mandatory charge. Also ask about taxes, which may be significant in many places.
• If you’re buying travel insurance, be sure the agency is licensed . Find out whether an agency is licensed at the website of the US Travel Insurance Association . Make a copy of your insurance card to take with you when you go on the trip.
• Check that charter flights are listed on the approved public charter flights of the U.S. Department of Transportation before you pay.  Also, check out the charter’s operator with local travel agents to see if they know if the operator is legitimate, or contact the American Society of Travel Advisors . The U.S. Department of Transportation’s website has more tips on what to know about charter flights.

If you think you may have been targeted by a travel scam, report it to

• the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• your state attorney general

10 common travel scams, and how to protect yourself when traveling

Editor's Note

Travel can be a rewarding and relaxing experience — some of my favorite memories are from trips I've taken with friends or by myself.

However, scam artists are everywhere, and anyone can fall prey to a scheme — especially if you're in an unfamiliar place. Also, some scams specifically target certain groups of people, such as women, older travelers or kids.

The Federal Trade Commission received nearly 54,000 reports of travel scams in 2021, with $95 million in total reported losses for consumers and a median loss of $1,112 per person.

Safety is important when planning travel, so we've compiled a list of common travel scams, how to spot them and ways to protect your wallet and personal information while you're away from home.

New to The Points Guy? Sign up for our daily newsletter .

This certainly isn't an exhaustive list of all the types of scams you may encounter while traveling, but it will give you an idea of some of the most common travel scams and how to spot them.

Timeshare and vacation club scams

Timeshare scams are easily one of the most lucrative travel scams. The FTC and many state attorney general offices have cracked down hard on this type of fraud, but it can still happen. These scams can be broken down into two main types: timeshare presentation scams and timeshare resale scams.

A timeshare is a real estate property that is sold to multiple buyers with each allotted a certain amount of time at the property each year (usually one week).

Oftentimes, timeshare sellers will host presentations with the promise of a free hotel stay or gift for those who attend. Do your research before you jump on what seems like a too-good-to-be-true deal.

Before attending a timeshare presentation, make sure you research the specific developer selling the timeshares. You can check out the Better Business Bureau website to look up complaints against the developer and get a better picture of other people's experiences.

Related: I suffered through a timeshare sales presentation for a cheap vacation

Timeshare scams can happen on the backend of a deal, too.

Once you purchase a timeshare, it can be very difficult to resell your share. Unfortunately, this is where scammers often lurk. Someone may promise to sell your timeshare quickly and painlessly for an upfront fee. Once that fee is paid, they either disappear or claim that they were unsuccessful.

If you do decide to go with a resale company, make sure to look up relevant laws in the state or country where your timeshare is located (or reach out to a lawyer to help). Also, when you do meet with a company, don't sign anything at the first meeting. Take any documents home and read through the fine print before you make a decision.

Multilevel marketing scams

Multilevel marketing scams, or MLMs, work similarly to pyramid schemes with a direct sales model that encourages existing members to recruit new members, while also paying into the parent company for special access. For travel, you're asked to pay a monthly price for credits you can apply to the cost of the cruise or a vacation. However, after you've paid every month, you still need to add more to cover your "upgraded" cruise fee. But wait, there's a way around this, says the company. Simply sign up some friends and family for the same plan and you'll get more credits. The more people you sign up, the better. And of course, the people you've brought on board with you can sign up more members, too. And yet, the cost of your dream vacation is still just out of reach, so you have to keep signing people up and paying monthly, and so on and so on.

You may have seen this model with vitamins, diet cookies, lawn fertilizer or other pay-to-play MLMs. Before you commit to one of these for cruises or travel, look carefully at what you'll be paying upfront before you bring on any other "investors." In most, if not all cases, you can get the same, if not better, value from booking directly with a cruise line or authorized travel agent.

Internet search scams

In a recent article, Travel Weekly identified "flyer beware" scams where an internet search for an airline customer service phone number results in second-party numbers. These phone numbers seem legitimate. However, instead of connecting you directly with the airline, they instead route you to unofficial call centers that don't reveal their affiliations. Then, they bill you not only for exorbitantly priced tickets but also for high charges -- often in the $500 range -- tacked onto the nonrefundable airline tickets.

To counter this scam, it's important to look closely at the listings when you search for an airline's customer service number online -- the first option that pops up isn't necessarily the official one. Copy and paste the number into the search bar to see its official registration. Also, click through the link to the website it's associated with, and then find the homepage. It should then be clear where you've landed.

Once you arrive at your destination, there is a new bucket of deceits you need to be alert to, including the taxi scam. This common scheme happens when you take a taxi or another car service in an unfamiliar destination where rates are determined by the distance of the drive. Your driver may take a much longer, often circuitous route to get to your destination in order to maximize the cost of your fare.

The age of Google Maps makes it easier to thwart one of these scams, even in an area you're not familiar with. Whenever possible, pull up the route on your smartphone's map app to make sure your driver is actually taking you on the most direct route.

If you suspect you're being led astray, ask for them to take the more direct route, then get a receipt and also take a picture of the registration number or the driver's ID card so you can follow up with local authorities or your credit card company later if need be.

Related: How to avoid getting scammed by your taxi driver

In addition, always take licensed cabs or taxis, or use a reputable ride-hailing app (the latter is a good way to know the price in advance and have proof of your journey request).

'Incorrect change' scams

If you're traveling to a place with an unfamiliar currency, someone may try to take advantage of this by giving you incorrect change or insisting you gave them a different bill than you did. This is especially common in places where cash is used more regularly and different bills look similar.

To protect yourself, research the currency at your destination before you travel so you're familiar with it when you arrive. Also, count your change before walking away to make sure you get the right amount.

Ticket scams

People will often try to sell tickets to attractions, buses, trains and more outside of venues and transportation stations. They'll claim the tickets are discounted or offer them as a way to jump the line. However, these tickets can be fake or expired when you try to actually use them. Also, as technology has improved over the years, so have these fake tickets. They can look almost identical to the real thing.

The best way to avoid this is to always purchase any tickets — whether to a concert, a tourist attraction, a bus, a train or a ferry – from an official ticket booth or the official website. Or, work with your hotel concierge to secure admission to hard-to-access venues.

'Attraction closed' scams

You may come across someone claiming an attraction you want to visit, a show you want to see or even a train or ferry you have tickets for is closed. Then they'll direct you somewhere else where you'll be pressured to pay for tickets or buy something.

No matter what someone outside a venue or transportation station tells you, always get your information from the ticket booth or official website as to whether something is closed.

If you made a reservation or bought tickets for a certain time, it's more than likely open. After all, why would an attraction sell you a ticket for something that's closed or unavailable?

'Free item' scams

We've all heard the phrase "if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is."

When you travel, you may be approached by someone with "free" merchandise. Maybe they offer you free food and drinks, or maybe they try to put a bracelet around your wrist. In major tourism areas, you may be asked if you want your picture taken in front of certain attractions or with dressed-up characters on the street.

Be cautious anytime anyone offers anything that is "free," because you'll often be required to pay for it after the fact. If someone approaches you and tries to put something on your body, refuse firmly and give anything they did put on you back to them immediately.

Credit card-skimming scams

No matter who you are or where you go, there's a chance someone could use a card skimmer to steal your credit card information.

Card skimming comes in many forms. Some scammers use a skimmer attached to an ATM or gas pump. Sometimes restaurant workers may skim your card when you pay the bill. You may even have your card skimmed with a handheld device.

Credit cards have come a long way over the years in terms of payment security, and pretty much every credit card out there will have fraud protection. That doesn't mean credit card fraud isn't still a major concern.

When you're using your card at an ATM or at the pump, pay attention to the card reader. Does it stick out farther than normal? Is the card reader loose?

Some gas stations put a seal over the card reader panel so you know it hasn't been tampered with, so check that as well. If anyone makes an excuse to be close to you (which is already a bit of a red flag because of COVID-19 and social distancing measures), they may be trying to steal your card details with a handheld wireless device.

Credit card skimmers can also use near-field communication and radio-frequency identification devices to steal your credit card information.

While it's not nearly as common as people using skimmers on ATMs or other card readers, it can still happen. Contactless credit cards and EMV chip cards are not immune, either — cards still come with a magnetic stripe that RFID readers can grab information from and NFC devices can read your contactless card.

Of course, chip and contactless cards both have built-in safety nets that make it harder for scammers to actually use your credit card details once they have them. That doesn't make it impossible, though.

The best thing you can do is monitor your accounts for suspicious activity and make sure you keep your wallet in a secure place (your back pocket does not qualify) while you travel. If you want to go all-out against contactless scanners, you can buy an RFID-blocking wallet, but there is debate in the payments security space over whether they are a worthwhile purchase.

When I travel, I make sure to log in to my bank apps (never on public Wi-Fi, though) once per day to make sure no unauthorized charges have popped up. If you do notice suspicious activity on your account, many issuers allow you to request a freeze on your account via the app or online.

Related: How to spot and report credit card fraud

Related: 15 TPG editor-approved passport holders to buy before your next trip

Public Wi-Fi network scams

Free Wi-Fi networks can be a godsend when you are traveling — especially if you don't have a roaming data package for your phone.

However, public Wi-Fi hot spots are almost always lax on security. That means someone can steal personal information while you use the network, including bank and credit card account information if you log in while using them. If you do use a public network at a coffee shop, airport or other public space, be wary of logging in to any sensitive sites like your bank or medical profiles.

Related: How to secure your data when using public Wi-Fi

A virtual private network is a popular way to ensure your connection is secure no matter where you go. These work by routing your internet connection through a private server (owned by your VPN company) so that data transmitted comes from the VPN rather than your computer.

This hides your IP address and encrypts your data so that hackers and other entities that might want to snoop through your personal information hit a dead end. It's a great investment whether you travel all the time or just like to visit your local coffee shop that offers free Wi-Fi. They generally cost less than $20 per month (and that's at the expensive end of the spectrum).

Not all VPNs are created equal, so do your research on the best one for your needs. Can you find a VPN that costs less than $10 per year? Yes. Is that VPN worth it? Debatable.

In addition, if you have a smartphone or other device, make sure it's password protected. Most people likely have some sort of passcode set up on their phone — especially since the inception of fingerprint and facial IDs on smartphones. You may not think about the importance of a strong password on your personal laptop or tablet, though.

Set up a password or PIN on all your devices so if the worst case happens and they get stolen, someone will have a much harder time breaking into them.

Bottom line

Travel scams are more common than you might think — tens of thousands of U.S. citizens alone report being scammed each year.

Scammers are smart, and many scams target specific groups of individuals who may be more vulnerable while traveling, such as women traveling alone, older travelers and kids.

Travel is meant to be a fun and rewarding experience, and getting scammed can put a real damper on any trip.

Knowing the kinds of scams that exist can help you protect yourself and your traveling companions while you are away from home. Hopefully, this guide has outlined how to spot some of the most common dangers.

Additional reporting by Melissa Klurman.

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The 15 Biggest Travel Scams, and How to Avoid Them

The Editors

We are the editors of SmarterTravel! Together we have appeared in countless travel publications including ABC News, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and more. We dedicate our days to creating and producing expert travel content, including packing tips, general travel advice, destination inspiration, and helpful videos. Follow us across social media on YouTube , Pinterest , Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter or drop us a line to say hi at [email protected]!

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You know that old saying “there’s a sucker born every minute”? Don’t be one of them. Stay ahead of these surprisingly effective travel scams to keep your vacation plans from falling apart. The schemes below may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to travel cons, but preparing yourself for these common swindles is a good place to start.

Vacation Clubs

Wholesale travel clubs claim that you’ll have access to incredibly cheap vacations if you join. However, once you pay the joining fees, you find that the deals offered aren’t any better than what you can find for yourself online—for free. Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott , whose book Scammed lays out a helpful roadmap for being a responsible and effective shopper in a world of corporate swindles, has told SmarterTravel: “I’ve never come across a legitimate travel club. My advice is to run, don’t walk.”

Elliott advises that anyone considering joining a travel club do research with a very critical eye beforehand. Simply doing an internet search for the name of the travel company plus “travel scam” will usually reveal a host of problems experienced by other members. Also check the Better Business Bureau for complaints about the specific service before you buy.

Timeshare Sales

Ed Perkins, a longtime contributing editor at SmarterTravel, calls the up-front fees for selling your timeshare the biggest travel scam out there.

“Scammers promise to get you out from under, saying they have buyers, but all they really do is take a fee, upward of $400, and do nothing,” says Perkins.

Never pay up front to have someone help you sell your timeshare. If you want out, go to a licensed company and check them out with the Better Business Bureau before listing with them. If you’re having trouble getting out of your timeshare , work with a rental company and rent it out to recoup some of the money until you can sell.

Vacation Certificates

Ed Perkins also warns against prepaid vacation certificates: “Travel scams promise really great prices but deliver nothing. The idea here is to get the up-front money, then keep stalling: ‘Sorry, these dates are sold out; try again soon.’ They delay until people just quit trying.” Or the company charges huge additional fees to redeem the certificates, and the trip is considerably less luxurious than promised. Before prepaying for a vacation package, be sure to research fees and blackout dates, as well as the company’s reputation.

“Travel-Agent” Card Mills

Ah, the life of travel agents. Cheap hotels and airfares are thrown at their feet once they pull out their travel-agent ID cards, right? Wrong. Don’t believe the hype from outfits that promise to issue you a travel-agent ID that provides access to discounts. Scammers charge hundreds of dollars for these cards, but victims who shell out will quickly find that no place will accept the fakes, and they never see any discounts. The only way to avoid this travel scam is to not buy a travel-agent card if you’re not a travel agent—there’s really no legal way to get around it.

Car-Rental Collision Damage Waivers

Rick Steves calls the car-rental collision damage waivers (CDW) a “collision damage waiver racket” for a reason. When you rent a car, the company often pressures you to buy a CDW supplement, which will prevent you from having to pay a high insurance deductible if the car is damaged. (The deductible can be thousands of dollars before insurance kicks in.)

But most major credit cards already include deductible collision coverage for free , so check your credit-card terms and pay for the rental car with your credit card. Then you’ll be covered without having to shell out extra cash for phony insurance. Most credit-card collision coverage is secondary, meaning you have to claim from your regular insurance first. If you don’t want a claim on your insurance, you can buy third-party primary collision coverage from the booking agency for about $10-$11 a day. Or, if it’s pricey, you can instead buy coverage from an independent outlet; sites like Bonzah.com offer rental coverage from $7.99 per day. That’s about one-third of what the rental companies charge.

“You Won a Free Trip!”

If you’ve ever dropped your business card in a “win a free trip” drawing at a restaurant or signed up to win at a fair, you may have gotten a phone call, letter, or email claiming you’ve won a free vacation. These days, the hustle is often via robocall. Be wary—many of these “prizes” are actually booby traps in which you’ll have to pay hefty fees to claim the vacation or give your credit card number to “verify your eligibility,” resulting in identity theft. After a recent lull in monitoring these robocalls, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is again cracking down on them. If you’re scammed, get the names of resorts and airlines included in the prize and call them independently to verify the trip. Never give credit card information to someone who cold-calls you, and be sure to get details of the prize in writing before accepting.

Fake International Driving Permits

The FTC also warns against fake International Driving Permits (IDPs) . Some countries require tourists to have an IDP in addition to a U.S. driver’s license. However, there are only two American associations that are legally authorized to issue IDPs—the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Fraudulent companies sell fake IDPs over the Internet, but you’ll pay hundreds of dollars for a permit only to face legal problems for using the imposter IDs in another country.

The Bait and Switch

The hotel you’re thinking of booking is suspiciously cheap, but the property’s website makes it look beautiful and centrally located. When you arrive, the hotel is run-down, missing amenities, and in a deserted part of town—and it won’t refund your money. Avoid this travel scam by using websites like Oyster (one of SmarterTravel’s sister sites) and TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent site) to read real customer reviews and see honest photos of the property.

“Grandparent” Travel Scams

Even if you’re not currently traveling, you can still be the victim of a travel scam: The State Department warns that scammers will call an older relative or friend of someone who’s away on vacation and pretend to be the traveler in desperate need of help. The scammer usually poses as the traveler or a foreign government official and directs the victim to wire a large sum of money, citing an array of things: They have been robbed and need money to return to the United States, or they have run into legal trouble and need bail money. Sometimes the scammer will even pretend to be someone from the U.S. embassy calling on behalf of the relative for money. Never wire money in response to a suspicious phone call; instead contact the State Department to ask if the situation is legitimate, or call your relative directly. If you encounter this scam, the FBI advises you report it to local authorities or a state consumer protection agency. You can also file a complaint with the FCC .

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) offers the following advice to prevent “grandparent” travel scams:

Never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mothers’ maiden names, passwords, or other identifying information in response to suspicious calls or to callers demanding immediate action. Scammers can spoof the caller ID of their number to make it appear to be from a trusted source. If a caller claiming to represent a company or a government agency asks for personal information, hang up and verify the authenticity of the request by contacting the company or agency yourself, using information found on its official website or through other means such as the phone book. If a caller claims to represent a company with which you have an account—such as a utility or a bank—hang up and check the contact information on a recent bill or statement, then call the company back yourself.

Rental Property Scam

Rule of thumb: Never go to Craigslist (or anything similar) for a rental home. Scammers will place an ad and ask the victim to wire money to secure the vacation rental—and then disappear. Or they’ll have you send money to them rather than to the actual property owner. Avoid the rental scam risk by going through a reputable vacation rental site with protections and insurance guarantees such as Airbnb , HomeAway , or SmarterTravel’s sister site FlipKey , all of which will protect your money from fraudsters.

Bogus Travel Agents

Don’t trust a tour operator or packager you don’t know of or can’t find reviews of easily online—especially with a big payment. An even more worrisome version of these travel scams in the U.S. is fake versions of websites: You search for a hotel or tour and get through to what looks like a legitimate website from a known company. But it isn’t: It’s a copy-cat version run by a scamster who paid a lot of money for a good search engine position. At best, after you make a payment, the hotel will honor your reservation—but probably at a higher price than you should have paid. At worst, you get nothing.

Take a close look at the website’s URL. Unsure if it’s right? Do a new search to find the company’s homepage and compare it to the first half of the link—any rogue characters, numbers, or symbols might mean it’s a fake. You should also never pay for a service via wire transfer, or any other irreversible money-transfer system.

Currency Short-Changing

A longstanding travel scam relies on tourists’ unfamiliarity with a foreign currency. This can take various forms: counterfeit bills, miscounting change, mixing smaller bills into what should be a pile of larger notes, etc. Get to know the bills of any country you visit, and limit the amount of foreign currency you exchange and have with you at any time. Get your foreign currency from an ATM, and put all your big-ticket purchases on a credit card.

Counterfeit Event Tickets

These days, high-tech forging can make almost any piece of paper or cardboard look authentic. Don’t buy a high-priced ticket (or even a low-priced one) to a sold-out event from someone on the street or via an unfamiliar website. You might be turned away at the gate. Buy from an authorized source—the box office or an online dealer that’s a verified reseller.

Fake Tour Guides

Have you ever been walking in a tourist-frequented area and had someone approach you offering to be your guide? Of course, you would have no idea in this situation whether this person has any useful knowledge of the city, but you may be coaxed into a nearby store that they claim offers the “best” prices on local specialties.

Pre-arrange a guide through an official tourism office or a local travel agency so you can compare prices and know what you’re getting. I once arranged the best local guide I ever had through an American Express agency. A university history professor showed us the fantastic National Museum of Damascus in Syria.

Credit Card Fraud

One of many potential credit card fraud risks is the familiar “verification call” gambit. In this travel scam, within a few hours of checking into a hotel, you get a call from someone claiming to be at the front desk to “verify” the details of the card you used. Of course, that caller is a scammer with no connection to the hotel who just wants to get your card data. In this and any other situations, be highly suspicious of anyone who calls you asking for credit or debit card information, no matter how plausible the excuse may seem. Tell the caller you’ll be right down to settle the problem, and instead call a known number, like the hotel’s direct line, to settle whatever account is involved.

More from SmarterTravel:

• How to Avoid Counterfeit Money While Traveling
• 6 Cruise Scams You Should Never Fall For
• Europe Travel Scams to Watch Out For

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2012. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Caroline Morse Teel and Ed Perkins contributed to this story.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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6 Travel Scams to Avoid

Aarp's fraud watch team warns you of cons that could ruin your getaway plans.

Sari Harrar,

Patricia Frolander, 78, walked into the Rapid City, South Dakota, Regional Airport last year with a ticket to St. George, Utah. She was on her way to visit a dear friend — but never got there. An airline employee broke the bad news: Her $398 ticket was for a nonexistent flight.

"I booked my trip through a travel agency website that looked legitimate,” Frolander says. The only red flag: fine print on Page 5 of her ticket saying she couldn't contest the reservation once purchased. “When my granddaughter checked online, she traced the website to a travel agency with a very bad history with the Better Business Bureau,” Frolander says. Her credit card company investigated and agreed to refund her money.

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Sign up for biweekly updates on the latest scams.

Scammers are constantly looking for ways to part people from their money, and, unfortunately, have found lucrative targets among travelers .

Here's how experts say you can avoid six current travel scams.

1. Free or rock-bottom deals

Phone calls, emails and postcards with enticing travel offers are tempting, but a deal that's way under the value of a trip — like five nights in a hotel plus airfare to Maui for $200 — means it's probably a scam, says Amy Nofziger, AARP's anti-fraud expert.

Avoid this scam: Simply walk away from any deal that seems too good to be true. And if a company asks you to pay with a prepaid gift card instead of a credit card or debit card, it's a scam, Nofziger says. Always work with a trusted travel agency or company that has a long, proven history of offering travel opportunities, she says.

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2. Rental-car cons

Scammers set up phony customer service numbers online that look just like those of major rental-car companies. When you call, they take your money and personal information, then leave you stranded.

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Avoid this scam: Before you call or click to reserve a car, verify that you're calling the real customer service department, or that you're on a legitimate company website.

3. Third-party websites for TSA PreCheck  and Global Entry programs

Look-alike websites are popping up and claiming to be able to help you renew or enroll in the  U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck or the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Global Entry program , which speed you through airport security for a fee. But these sites are trying to con you out of money and personal information.

Avoid this scam:  Travelers interested in enrolling in or renewing TSA PreCheck should start the process by going to the official government website, tsa.gov .

4. Disappearing vacation rentals

Scammers capitalize on the popularity of vacation properties rented out on legit sites like Airbnb and Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) by offering — online or via social media — properties that don't exist, don't belong to them or don't measure up to the gorgeous photos.

Avoid this scam:  Keep all of your interactions with a vacation property's owners on the website of legitimate companies. A request to take your conversation off the site is a sign of a likely scam. If a property has few reviews or seems too good to be true, search the address online, or check it on Google Maps.

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5. Airport and hotel Wi-Fi hacks

Connecting to public Wi-Fi gives savvy hackers easy access to your personal information.

Avoid this scam:  Use your smartphone's hot spot to connect to the internet more securely. Or invest in a virtual private network (VPN), a service that encrypts your data to keep unscrupulous hackers from stealing sensitive information online. A VPN costs about $30 to $100 per year.

6. Tourist visa scams

Popular destinations (Australia, India, Vietnam, for instance) require visas from American visitors, and scammers have stepped in, creating third-party websites promising to get tourists their visas quickly, for a fee. They not only request money to expedite your visa, they request personal information valuable to criminals for identity theft. Some travelers who’ve used these sites have ended up with a fake visa — or no visa at all.

Avoid this scam : Get your tourist visa directly from the website of your destination country. (You’ll find links at https://travel.state.gov .) Many countries have turnaround times as short as one day for electronic visas, and some even allow visitors to procure them upon arrival at the airport or border crossing.

Sari Harrar is an award-winning journalist and contributing editor to AARP publications.

Sari Harrar is an award-winning reporter and contributing editor to AARP publications who writes on health, public policy and other topics. ​

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A guide to staying safe and avoiding common travel scams

PayPal Editorial Staff

December 3, 2023

Travel scams can be an unfortunate part of traveling, affecting both occasional tourists and seasoned adventurers. The popularity of online booking and the variety of deals and offers available has given scammers a whole new way to defraud vacationers. It’s important to stay vigilant by keeping up to date on the latest scams and, if using a travel agent, always going through reputable agents and services.

Travel scams can pose a huge financial risk, with 2022 seeing a reported $600,000 lost by American tourists who fell victim to scams 1 . The damage of travel scams may go further than finances, though. Victims could be deceived into purchasing fake documents or handing over passports, leaving them short on funds and stranded in an unfamiliar country.

Read on to learn more about potential risks and possible ways to stay safe when traveling overseas.

Common travel scams

Before traveling, it’s a good idea for tourists to thoroughly research their destination, including local police or council websites that could alert them to current or common scams. Some scams, however, are seen in many popular tourist destinations. Here are a few common travel scams.

Mobile device scams

Tourists are advised to be vigilant about their mobile device security as it is a significant attack vector when traveling. It may be wise for them to protect their cell phones with the same veracity as their passports as the loss of either may lead to identity theft.

Cell phone theft is a serious issue, with thieves targeting tourists and snatching their unlocked phones from their hands. With access to unlocked phones, criminals can change key passwords effectively locking the owner out of their device. Thus empowered, they can leverage multi-factor authentication to gain access to social media accounts, bank accounts, and more. By the time tourists get to a computer or alternative device, they may have already been locked out of their accounts. Therefore, it is recommended that tourists be extra careful when using their unlocked devices in public places. They are also strongly encouraged to avoid storing their password locally on a device. It is worth traveling with a backup cell phone in case of cell phone theft so that swift action can be taken.

As well as paying close attention to physical devices, tourists are advised to be mindful of mobile data security when traveling. It is recommended they refrain from using free or unsecured WiFi, especially for sensitive activities like shopping or banking, or logging into email or social accounts. A more secure option is to use a personal hotspot with WPA2 enabled and a string password selected.

ATM skimming

ATM skimming is a common form of card fraud. Scammers insert a small device into the ATM that “skims” the victim’s information once they insert their card. Skimmers are meant to be discreet, but they are not always invisible.

To spot a compromised ATM, inspect the reader before inserting a card. If anything looks damaged, out of alignment, or strangely bulging, do not use the machine and instead find a safer option. ATMs inside bank branches will be more closely monitored and generally safer.

Fake ticket sales

Ticket scams are where a scammer deceives someone into buying illegitimate tickets to events or attractions. They are often cheaper than buying tickets directly from the attraction and may appeal to frugal travelers. Fake tickets can be purchased in person or online, so it is important to research the best way to buy.

Fraudulent websites are set up, or tourists may be approached by someone offering a cheaper ticket outside popular attractions. To ensure ticket authenticity, travelers could contact their resort or hotel directly and ask them for the best way to buy, contact the attraction directly, or ask friends and family for reputable vendors.

Fake police scams

In a fake police scam, the victim may be approached by someone posing as a police officer and instructed to complete a seemingly reasonable task, such as handing over their bag for a search or their wallet to look for counterfeit bills, or even following the scammer to a taxi.

In all these examples, the victim might submit to the authority of this police impersonation because they look legitimate. To avoid this, never follow strangers to a second location and never hand over personal belongings. Read up on the police uniform in the area and the process of reporting scams.

Street pickpocketing

While not technically a scam, pickpocketing is a common risk in high-traffic areas. In close proximity to strangers, like in crowded areas and on public transport, it is important to stay vigilant.

To avoid street theft, make it harder for a thief to gain access to possessions by making sure all bags are fastened and ideally in full view. It is also recommended that vacationers only carry the cash they need to avoid rifling through large amounts of cash in public places and attracting potential thieves.

Considerations for avoiding travel scams

No matter where in the world a vacation takes place, traveling securely is crucial. Here are some practices to potentially avoid travel scams:

Research and planning

Make sure travel planning involves thorough research before making any solid commitments. Get recommendations from trusted sources for where to stay and how to book. Look out for any strange-looking websites offering deals far below market price. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Make sure to add local scams to travel research, too. A quick Google search will show up the most frequently reported scams at a destination. Hotel staff will also know who to trust and who to avoid.

Securing personal belongings

Secure any belongings that could be of interest to a thief or are necessary to return home, like passports, travel documents, tickets, and wallets. Lock away unnecessary items in a hotel room safe, close bags and pockets, and never leave purses or wallets in plain sight.

Anti-theft measures may also prove useful, such as an anti-theft purse, luggage with lockable zippers, and travel accessories like Bluetooth trackers for bags.

Utilizing a digital wallet could potentially protect payment cards and financial information. If a thief were to steal a person’s phone, they may be less likely to obtain any information if the phone is protected by a passcode or passkey .

Stay informed

One way to prevent being a victim of a travel scam is to stay informed. Look for up-to-date information about scams by making sure website entries are recent.

The FTC provides consumer advice 2 and a place for reporting scams . 3

Reporting travel scams

Fraud reporting provides essential statistics that help other travelers. Report scams through the FTC and remember to report them to the local authorities whenever possible. Reporting passport and visa scams to the Department of State could help to prevent further victims.

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The weirdly common, very expensive travel scam you should avoid

Do not click on that travel website (probably).

by Emily Stewart

Kathy could have sworn she called Qatar Airways to change her flight last spring. Looking through her call records now, she clearly didn’t. Instead, she wound up talking to a third-party booker called Infinity Travels. She has paid Infinity thousands of dollars she may never get back, even after spending countless hours trying. 

Her labyrinth of a saga is hard to keep straight. In November 2022, she realized she would need to fly back home to Canada early from a trip to visit her husband in the Middle East scheduled for the following March. She called to make the switch. Kathy, who asked to withhold her last name to protect her privacy, spent six hours on the phone in the endeavor. 

Initially, she says she was told she’d need to spend 1,650 Canadian dollars on a new flight and would get a CA$2,700 credit from the airline — she wanted a refund, not a credit, and was transferred to a supposed supervisor. The next agent told her she needed to pay CA$6,990 for the new flight and that she’d receive a refund of CA$8,080 after she had taken her departing flights. She took the deal, which was confirmed in an email from Infinity. “It was dumb of me,” she says. “But by this time it was 1 am and I was so tired.”

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That refund never came through, and Kathy has been locked in a battle with Infinity for months, which is taking place over WhatsApp and the phone. Infinity claimed the initial agent who offered her the refund was fired for making unauthorized deals. A subsequent agent she spoke to — while on her vacation — told her they would refund CA$4,250, nearly half the original amount promised. That was supposed to come through if she agreed not to dispute the CA$6,990 charge, which she did. That agent seems to have disappeared, too, after allegedly being promoted to a new job. 

Kathy isn’t sure how she found that wrong number to make her flight change, but it seems likely she did an internet search and called the number that came up without checking its provenance. “It’s incredibly frustrating,” she says. “For me, the money sucks to lose, but it’s more like how are they getting away with doing this? Because I’m sure there are other people.”

There are. A look at TrustPilot and the Better Business Bureau shows others have had similarly confusing experiences with Infinity. 

People all over the world get sucked into a variety of travel-related schemes and scams all the time. In this day and age of vacation, sketchy websites and companies and third-party bookers abound. 

Third-party booking websites and companies — meaning entities consumers can use to handle reservations without dealing directly with, for example, an airline — are everywhere. Not all of them are bad. Plenty of people use them without issue all the time, including popular ones such as Expedia, Travelocity, and Booking.com. But some of them employ shady and even fraudulent tactics.

In this day and age of vacation, sketchy websites and companies and third-party bookers abound

These operations seek to get consumers’ money by saying they’ll take care of their travel plans, booking their plane tickets, hotels, and rental cars, or even helping them get their passports faster. They then go on to charge exorbitant fees for executing the transaction or making minor changes and often give consumers the runaround. Sometimes, they never reserve anything at all. Victims of these scams show up at the airport for a flight that doesn’t exist, or appear at a hotel to sleep in a room that was never booked, and their money’s just gone.

Feelings can run high when people travel, whether they’re going to an event or spending time with family and friends or just getting a much-needed and much-anticipated break. “That’s one thing scammers prey on,” said Melanie McGovern, director of public relations and social media for the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, “the emotion of it all.”

Kathy’s emotions got the better of her the night she made that payment to Infinity — endless hours on the phone will do that to you. Since then, she has gotten about CA$325 back from Qatar Airways. After months of wrangling (and after I reached out for comment for this story), Infinity returned CA$1,816 to her. She’s got all of the documentation from the ordeal: emails, text messages, recorded phone calls. It’s just not clear whether any of that matters. 

Kathy still has that number she first called saved in her phone as “Qatar Airways Help,” even though that’s not what it is. When you call the number now, the person on the other end of the line simply says, “Reservations.” It’s easy to see how people get tricked. 

Qatar Airways said in a statement that Infinity is a travel agent that is entitled to sell its tickets, like many others, but that as an airline, “we do not forward phone calls to travel agents, and we do not accept agents making promises on our behalf.” Infinity said in an email it was “disappointed to hear about the poor experience by this individual” and did not respond to a follow-up email.

One of the primary ways fraudulent third-party companies suck people in is with the promise of a deal. They offer a price that seems too good to be true — because it is — and people’s internet-driven deal-hunting instincts take over. 

“The biggest thing we see are the people who are using a third-party website trying to get something a little bit cheaper,” McGovern said. “We know travel can be really, really expensive, and ... people are trying to find an alternative.”

That’s what happened to Sarah, who asked for her last name to be withheld to protect her privacy, when she was trying to snag a flight to Iceland to see the northern lights in late 2022. Most of the flights she found were above her $800 budget, but she found one option for $755 from a website called Travelcation. After booking the trip, she received an email from the company saying the fare she had agreed to was no longer available and had increased to $995.

Sarah noted the email had weird language and grammatical errors, as did the company’s website, upon further inspection. She then googled “Travelcation scams.” “I started reading these horror stories,” she says. She responded to the email saying she didn’t agree to the new price and alerted her bank that any attempted charge would be unauthorized. “My card never ended up getting charged, so I managed to avoid the worst of it,” she says. She took a budget-friendlier trip to Puerto Rico instead.

A spokesperson for Travelcation said in an email that in the travel industry it’s “not uncommon” for prices to fluctuate because of issues such as airline ticket availability, dynamic pricing, taxes, fees, and other charges added during the booking process. 

What is uncommon, or at least should be, is for prices to fluctuate after booking. 

Reporting for this story, I spoke with multiple experts and individuals about their experiences with scammy websites and travel agencies and combed through complaints to the Better Business Bureau. Many of the strategies these entities employ are quite simple — and effective. 

Some websites will figure out how to game search engines like Google . Travelers might think they’re calling Delta or Hilton or Hertz but are actually on the phone with someone else because they just called whatever number came up in search results or on some website without verifying it’s right. The numbers can be completely different from the actual phone number, or they might be one or two off — and 888 instead of 800. 

Many of the strategies these entities employ are quite simple — and effective

In the same vein, consumers wind up on these websites because they appear in their searches, sometimes because those websites have paid to rank higher. People then book there, not realizing the website is untrustworthy. The site in question then follows up with a call or email saying that the price of the booking has increased to try to squeeze more out of consumers there, or they charge super-high fees for small changes. (Assuming they make the booking at all, which doesn’t always happen.)

Jim still isn’t entirely sure how he wound up in his predicament. He called Delta’s phone number on a voice over internet service (VoIP) to book a flight to San Francisco; in his first interaction, everything seemed fine. He got a confirmation email from a company called Boketo, not Delta, but he didn’t immediately notice. A while later, he realized his middle initial was incorrect on the reservation, so he called to change it. After agreeing to pay $200 and receiving a follow-up email, this time from an outfit called Travel Makers, it dawned on him he had been duped. “That’s when I recognized that I’m an idiot,” he says. 

Jim reported the charges as fraud to his credit card company, which he thought would be the end of it. But in the lead-up to his trip, he says the agent he first dealt with began calling him and harassing him, saying she would not issue his tickets unless he restored the $200 payment. In the end, the flights went just fine, although Jim was worried until he successfully boarded his plane. He asked for his last name to be withheld out of fear of more harassment from the agent.

Jim’s phone records show he did indeed call Delta’s real number, which is quite disturbing. A spokesperson for Delta recommended consumers take extra precautions when using VoIP internet calling to make sure their service is secure. “Whenever we become aware of an alleged scam targeting our customers, including in this situation, we immediately conduct an investigation. Using the facts gained from an investigation, when able, we can then address each unique situation as appropriate with the necessary legal means at our disposal,” the spokesperson said.

Boketo did not respond to a request for comment for this story. When I reached out to Travel Makers for comment, someone purporting to be from the company said that it has nothing to do with Boketo and that the situation “seems like a case of misplaced anger.” They defended the extra $200 charge. Their email address was listed as Fly Cheapest Online.

There is no surefire way to scam-proof your life or even your next vacation, but there are measures you can take to try to protect yourself.

The first step is really to slow down, take a deep breath, and pay attention to what you’re doing, said Amy Nofziger, the director of fraud victim support with AARP. It’s not always easy — people’s lives are busy, and we’re often distracted or in a hurry or stressed. But those situations are where we’re likeliest to make mistakes. 

“Even if you think you’re going to get the deal of the century, they’re going to get the deal of the century, not you”

Nofziger also said to be wary of offers that are really out of step with the rest of the market. “If you find the best deal on a flight or on a car, I would be really suspect of why it’s the best deal. Go into this with the mindset that I think this is a scam until I’m proven otherwise,” she says. “Even if you think you’re going to get the deal of the century, they’re going to get the deal of the century, not you.”

If the website’s charging you $500 less than everywhere else, question why that might be. Yes, it feels good to beat the system, but there might not be a system to beat. This goes not only for hotels and flights but also, for example, for expedited passport processing, which Nofziger says AARP gets complaints about weekly. Consumers pay some website extra to get their passports faster, only to hand over sensitive personal information in exchange for no quicker service. “There really is no ‘beat the system’ with the State Department,” she says. “I suggest everyone pull their passport out today, look at when it expires, and start the process.”

If you see a website offering what appears to be a good deal, open up another browser and type the name of that site in along with words like “scam,” “fraud,” and “reviews.” You might save yourself a real headache, depending on what you find. “Do your research,” McGovern says. 

Experts say it generally is better to book directly with the hotel or airline or whatever you’re trying to accomplish, or at least to start there. And triple-check the number you’re calling. Really. “Travel agents can be reputable ... but you need to be clear that who you’re talking to is who you intended to talk to,” says Summer Hull, director of content at The Points Guy. “If you intended to talk to American Airlines and you’re now talking to a travel agency, that’s a red flag.”

You should also be suspicious if you get a follow-up phone call asking for more information. “Never provide personal information to an inbound call, even to an airline,” Hull says. “They should not be calling you to ask for your confirmation number or your credit card number or your flight plan,” she said. If you’re not sure it’s legitimate, say you’ll call them back. 

There can be some recourse in the event you are scammed. You can try to dispute charges as fraud with your credit card company, which is why it’s always best to pay with a credit card (and not with Venmo, crypto, or a prepaid card). You can also report your experiences on websites such as the Better Business Bureau, TrustPilot, and other places, and, if necessary, contact law enforcement. Still, options are limited. 

“Most people don’t think they’re ever going to be scammed, but unfortunately, I’ve had this job for 21 years, and I don’t see it going away anytime soon,” Nofziger says. 

As for Kathy, she remains stuck in what feels like a doom loop, most of her refund still pending.

We live in a world that’s constantly trying to sucker us and trick us, where we’re always surrounded by scams big and small. It can feel impossible to navigate. Every two weeks, join Emily Stewart to look at all the little ways our economic systems control and manipulate the average person. Welcome to  The Big Squeeze .

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Have ideas for a future column or thoughts on this one? Email  [email protected] .

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Travel scams: Everything you need to watch out for

Simon calder identifies the red flags to be aware of when booking a holiday – plus tricks used when scammers defraud the industry.

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A ny travel purchase is an act of faith. Travellers pay a lot of money upfront and take delivery only when they turn up and (hopefully) get the holiday they booked. That makes travel a favourite target of scammers.

Abta, the travel association, says: “Each year, fraudsters target unsuspecting holidaymakers and travellers, conning them out of millions of pounds.

“Not only are people losing substantial sums of money but many holidays are being ruined, with people unable to afford a replacement.”

As household budgets shrink and the cost of travel soars, travellers are increasingly desperate to find bargains. Fraudsters know this. Conversely, more people are tempted to try to scam the system by defrauding travel agents, holiday companies and airlines.

What should you watch for? These are the key questions and answers.

Is there such a thing as a standard travel fraud?

Yes, when perpetrated against would-be travellers. A villain purports to be a legitimate travel business, finding customers – usually online – and persuading them to hand over cash or pay by bank transfer, which amounts to the same thing.

The criminal then vanishes. Often the victim does not realise until the day of travel that they have lost thousands of pounds.

An example?

A favourite hunting ground for fraudsters in search of unwitting victims is to offer ultra-cheap airline tickets. This is what happened to a reader whose identity we have protected: “I booked a flight with a travel agent who I had booked with before, so I trusted him.

“He called me out of the blue late last year, asking if I am looking for flights? I was tempted and booked a holiday to Singapore and Philippines in September this year.

“He gave us a huge discount for a premium economy seats with Singapore Airlines. It cost £2,200, and he said that he paid £100 out of his own pocket for us. I thought that was very kind of him, taking him as a friend.

“On 21 December 2022 I sent over the money by bank transfer to three different accounts as he had requested. He said he would send our e-tickets by 9pm that evening.”

All too predictably, the tickets did not arrive.

“I contacted Singapore Airlines directly. They had no records of any bookings with our names. I contacted my bank Santander, who managed to get back half of our money back. The rest was transferred to an overseas account, which would be difficult to retrieve.

“After I realised we had been scammed, I checked the address he had given. It was a nursing home in Birmingham, not a travel agency.”

How do I avoid that?

If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

While many online agents will assert they have the best fare, prices for a particular flight are usually in a fairly narrow band. A check on a comparison website such as Skyscanner can give you a good idea of the ball-park figure for a destination on specific dates.

If an agent is selling well below the norm, you should be wary.

In contrast, if you go along to your local travel agent and buy a holiday, the overwhelming odds are that it will be a genuine and problem-free transaction.

Any other airline frauds?

Yes. A relatively new one involves scammers intercepting passengers’ complaints on Twitter .

Some passengers frustrated by lost luggage and delayed refunds have been tweeting BA about their issues, using the official account @British_Airways. Fraudsters set up an unofficial scam account, “@CareBritish”, and responded to tweets from travellers.

They ask for contact details, and then concoct a preposterous story – claiming passengers whose luggage is missing must pay for it to be sent to them, even though no airline would ask for payment for delivering misrouted baggage.

The scammers specify that payment must be by bank transfer. Although they ask for the money to be transferred through a legitimate foreign exchange company, the transaction is equivalent to handing over cash to someone you have never met.

If the desperate passenger complies, then predictably the baggage does not appear. Instead the criminals step up their attack – explaining that further problems have arisen, and asking the victim to transfer more money.

As with most scams, there are tell-tale signs that not all is above board. In one case The Independent looked at, a British Airways passenger living in Mexico, whose bag had failed to appear at New York JFK, was told their bag had mysteriously been flown from a different NYC airport, La Guardia, to Dallas-Fort Worth.

Someone calling himself “Martin from BA” wrote on Twitter that the luggage could be recovered – but only if the passenger transferred 22,458 Kenyan shillings (£150) to a person living in Nakuru, Kenya.

That is not a normal request from a UK airline about baggage that is supposedly in the US and belongs to a Mexican passenger.

An airline will never ask a traveller to share personal information on social media. They may invite unhappy passengers to liaise with them by direct message (DM), but this should only be done to a Twitter account with a blue tick – certifying that it is a social media account belonging to a trusted organisation.

I was asked to pay by bank transfer because ‘the card machine was broken’

This should really set alarm bells ringing. It’s like giving cash to a stranger. To complicate things, plenty of genuine travel firms will ask for payment by bank transfer to keep handling costs down (and, ironically, to avoid fraud).

Be especially suspicious if the destination bank account is in an improbable location or name. Any payment to a bank in a country other than the UK or your intended destination country should be immediately suspect.

A request to pay a random individual – or into more than one account – may be further evidence of a fraud.

If you avoid flight fraud, what is next in line?

Villa fraud is the most common scam.

Every summer as the main holiday months approach, I fret about how many people will contact me with the same sad story: “We booked a villa online, sent the money by bank transfer, then turned up to be told that someone else was staying there and we’d been scammed.”

The typical case involves several thousand pounds which has been sent to the villain, plus the cost of air fares – and the often astronomical expense of finding somewhere different to stay at very short notice. It is a devastating and distressing experience, not least because children are often involved.

Due diligence is required to ensure you are dealing with a legitimate company/villa owner.

How does the typical scam work?

A website is created with lots of appealing properties combined with remarkably low prices and excellent availability. It looks professional, and often lists an address (usually in Spain) and a phone number. When you are tempted in, you are then told “Pay us today by bank transfer” – which is the same as sending cash – “and we’ll give you a special discount.”

How can you tell if a site is fake?

Check the photos by doing an online search of the picture of the villa. It may take you to a completely different but legitimate site, and possibly to a different location and a different villa name.

One bunch of fraudsters The Independent came across realised that smart customers were on to them, and so they pretended that this was all the owners’ doing – using multiple names. They also fibbed that the reason availability was showing on the scam site but not the real site was because the owners had decided to deal only with them.

Read the website carefully. Many scam websites are set up using extracts copied and pasted from genuine travel companies. If something strikes you as unusual, try a bit of copying and pasting yourself – an odd phrase may take you to a genuine holiday company. In one of the cases I investigated, CycladesRentals.com, a phrase about health looked distinctly out of place; it turned out to have been stolen from a legitimate operator specialising in well-being holidays.

Next, many scam sites have no telephone number, but may have an address. If you search this address online, you will often find the real company that is based at the address the fraudsters claim to use.

Find a number for that company, dial it and see what happens; in the case of the scam website called CycladesRentals.com, I went along to check and found it was actually the premises of a very good Polish restaurant.

Any other red flags?

Yes. Check the company (and the website) history. If a company such as “Calder’s Choice Canaries Cottages” is any good, or even if it’s mediocre, it will have an online footprint. So search online for the name of the company plus “reviews”. It may be that you’re warned immediately that it’s a scam. But if there are no reviews, and the company claims to have been in business for 10 years, that’s odd to say the least.

Use a website such as who.is to see when the site was registered. If it was in the past few months, be very afraid.

But I called them up and they seemed genuine…

To ensure you are not dealing with a criminal, demand a landline rather than a mobile, check that the dialling code is commensurate with the location, and phone up the owner.

You could ask, for example: “Just before I book can you give me a few more details about the area: how far is the beach, how good is the WiFi, what’s the mobile-phone reception like?” If you are not satisfied with the answer, probe more deeply: ask for the name of the nearest restaurant, then find the number for that place and dial it to cross-check.

They say unless I book now I will lose the deal. Is that true?

Fraudsters invariably want to pressure you into parting with your hard-earned cash quickly, by warning that the property will be let to someone else unless you commit immediately. They may also claim there is a 10 or 20 per cent discount for rapid payment.

You should be able to sense if they are getting agitated, and a good way to test their response is to suggest you communicate by post. A genuine owner will cut you some slack, and probably agree to receive your deposit as cash through the post.

While that concept might sound ridiculously 20th century, it can offers safeguards you don’t get online. I have phoned an accommodation owner in Greece and then posted the deposit in cash (by registered mail, of course) to a physical address in the village where the property was located. It is potentially a safer transaction than transferring money to a bank account in a distant land.

An owner on Airbnb said we should break the payment rules and both benefit. Is that fraud?

Almost certainly. On Airbnb , if any “owner” asks you to liaise direct and pay by bank transfer rather than going through the official Airbnb payment platform, you are probably dealing with a criminal.

They do this typically by purporting to be a host and using the chat facility to set up an outside email – they may say they are doing this to dodge the fees, or they have a special coupon, or other tosh. They will have some ingenious ways of doing it, including uploading photos of a room with an email address written on the wall. And some people respond.

Can the travel industry itself be defrauded?

Yes, and fraud has been a problem for decades. Mostly it centres around flights. Every day many people who would never regard themselves as criminals routinely defraud airlines by exploiting anomalies in pricing.

For example, a one-way British Airways flight from London to New York typically costs four times as much as a return. The saving runs into many hundreds of pounds, and passengers often buy a round-trip with no intention of using the inbound portion.

In theory BA could charge you for the difference, but I am not aware of this ever happening. In some cases, though, where travel agents have used tricks like this on an industrial scale, the agents themselves may be penalised.

In terms of very clear crimes: the standard scam involves paying for a ticket for a flight shortly before departure using a stolen or cloned credit card. By the time the crime is recognised, the passenger has made the journey.

But fraudulent transactions using someone else’s cards are not unknown through travel agents.

Ashley Quint, director of TravelTime World in Berkhamsted says: “If I were asked what the biggest challenge is at the moment for travel agents, I would say fraud.”

What sort of scams do people perpetrate against travel agents?

Fraudsters often seek to persuade an agent to make a booking on their behalf. The airline will accept the reservation without question if it is from a trusted travel agent.

Abta says: “A particularly common type of fraud is ‘card not present’ fraud, in which fraudsters make telephone or on-line bookings with a stolen card.

“These bookings are often for last-minute, high-value airline tickets, due to the fact that the criminal would have departed prior to a transaction being charged back.”

Mr Quint says: “If we take a fradulent transaction, if someone gives us a stolen or cloned card, and the owner of that card enacts a ‘chargeback,’ it becomes our responsibility.”

Shrewd travel agents look for a range of red flags. Someone trying to pay with a card that does not match the passenger’s name immediately raises concerns – especially if it is a very short-notice trip particularly in business or first class.

If someone from outside the company’s usual catchment area calls, and insists on dealing only by phone, an agent might ask for payment by bank transfer.

Even so, some frauds get through. One is to buy a flexible flight ticket for travel some months ahead. The scammer then calls the airline direct to shift the booking much earlier. saying that the agent was too busy to change the date. The fraudster is likely to fly before the crime is picked up.

Does fraud against agents go beyond buying flights?

Yes. A decade or two ago, the main form of fraud was on air tickets to Africa. But Mr Quint says fraud is becoming more common – and more mainstream in terms of destination and holiday type.

A couple even attempted to book a honeymoon fraudulently with his company.

“The credit card went through – it matched their passports. All went through fine. A week in, I got a phone call from the card owner saying, ‘I haven’t spent any money with you’.

“Then we had to go to the fraud squad. We think they found them in the end.

“Thankfully, the tour operator hadn’t ticketed the flight and had a good relationship with the hotel, so there was no cost. Otherwise it would be down to us.

“It’s OK for somebody like me who’s been in the industry for quite a time. You get an inner sense of when something isn’t quite right.

“But for somebody who’s relatively inexperienced, you could easily get caught out.”

Someone has used my credit card details to buy a flight. What should I do?

Britain’s biggest budget airline, easyJet , gives advice online to people whose cards have been fraudulently used.

The carrier says: “If you’ve been charged by easyJet and you (or someone you’ve allowed to use your card) haven’t made a booking with us, then you may be a fraud victim. If you think this you should contact your bank. Let them know all the details, and make sure they cancel your card. Check your account for other strange purchases. Inform the police.”

To reclaim the cash, the victim is told to contact the easyJet Customer Service Team.

“We will investigate the booking and give you as much information as we can, and whether we can refund or cancel the flight. If we haven’t, or can’t, refund the costs straight to your account, you can start a ‘chargeback’ claim.”

This is a voluntary arrangement on the part of your card firm – Visa, Mastercard or American Express – to reverse debit, credit or charge card purchase for customers who have not received the goods or services that they have been charged for.

Can’t the authorities track down the culprits and deal with them?

Most villains leave a cyber trail. Banks may have some details of their identity.

But because the sums involved are relatively small from a policing perspective, travel frauds are often neglected.

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Travel expert advises how to spot, avoid and prevent falling for travel scams this summer

Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for Going.com, relays tips for travelers.

A great summer vacation can include anything from adventurous outdoor activities to relaxing rambles through foreign city streets, but nothing stops pleasant plans in their tracks quite like an unexpected travel scam.

To help travelers stay on track this summer, " Good Morning America " tapped expert Katy Nastro to share her top tips and recommendations of what people can do to avoid possibly getting swindled and ultimately ensure a stress-free trip from start to finish.

Travel scams to avoid falling for this summer

Nastro, a regular globe trotter herself with Going.com , first warned of hackers who may attempt to steal frequent flyer miles -- a situation that recently happened to her.

Upon returning from a trip earlier this year, Nastro checked her American Airlines account and told "GMA" that she "noticed the mileage account balance was extremely low to the point where I had to rethink and go through my last my last few trips within my app to make sure that I hadn't used the points. But I knew I hadn't, because it was such a large amount and I've been sort of saving them up for a trip over to Asia -- so I contacted the airline immediately."

MORE: US cities rank low on list of world's most active, walkable cities, analysis finds

In speaking with a customer service agent, Nastro said the airline team pulled up "a ticket redemption to somewhere in Asia with a name that I have no recollection of -- nor do I know this person," assuring it wasn't a family member, nor was it a friend that she would have gifted miles to.

"That kicked off a month-long sort of investigation," she said. "I had to file a formal police report within 30 days -- because it's considered property -- it's very weird because there's not any true regulations around loyalty points, so you first have to go through the issuer, in this case American Airlines."

The airline's fraud team asked Nastro to set up another Advantage account with a new email and password because "I could no longer use my old account because it had been hacked."

"Customer service is paramount to American, and we do not tolerate anyone taking advantage of our customers," a representative told ABC News in an emailed statement. "If we become aware of a compromised AAdvantage account, we immediately take action to secure the customer’s account and work closely with the customer to resolve any fraud."

When Nastro was at her local police station, she said the officers were somewhat familiar with the dilemma because "another person in my area, not too far away from where I live, actually had the same exact sort of situation happened with a much larger amount of miles."

After the airline's investigation resolved that "it was actual fraud," Nastro said "it was a couple of weeks before I then saw the miles back into my account."

"Coming out of the pandemic, people [have been] accruing so many points and miles, due to all the spending but not actual travel," Nastro said, which she explained could lead to account holders to "not really be aware of their balances" and most likely while "using a password that they've used for decades" which can make accounts more vulnerable.

"These hackers were able to get in through [an] email and then take all these miles -- or a portion of miles -- and are not blinking an eyelash because they had accrued so many," she said.

Tips to avoid digital travel scams

Her advice? "Change and update passwords and use a password keeper -- as well as checking your account often," Nastro suggested.

"Do not click into anything that looks sort of suspicious, even though it might look branded from the airline," she said.

Plus, the experts at Going have seen when people experience airline issues, such as delays or cancelations, and search for customer service resources via social media, "We have heard of people getting scammed where they get sent a Whatsapp number versus the actual airline."

"You've got to be so careful these days of who you're talking to," she said, urging folks to be wary of anyone asking specific personal details to get access to an account. "The airline will already have the information they need on you. They need your record locator and your first and last name, that's it. They shouldn't be asking for anything else when they're looking at your reservation."

Common scams to look out for if traveling abroad

Nastro also shared details about some scams that commonly take place in European cities that she said could potentially catch American visitors off guard.

MORE: It's not too late to book summer travel deals, these expert tips make it easier

Friendship Bracelets

"The scammer will come over and try to put a handmade bracelet on you, explaining its significance, then ask for an exorbitant amount of money after they've made it difficult to take off," Nastro warned. "Or this can be used as a distraction to then pick-pocket if there are others around."

Single Rose or Flower

"The scammer will approach hetero couples and hand a rose to the woman. They will then chastise the man for not coughing up a large sum for the rose, or flower, often insulting him and making him embarrassed enough to pay the vendor," Nastro said.

Photographer

"Be cautious of random people offering to take your photo, especially if alone," Nastro said. "They sometimes will run off with your camera or phone before you've even setup for your shot."

Dropped Wallet

"An empty wallet is placed in a busy area to see who will pick it up and look around to ask who might have dropped it," Nastro explained. "In doing so, many times, we also make sure we have our own wallet, and then the thief can make a note where this is kept to try and pickpocket you later on."

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8 Possible Signs of a Travel Scam

Joanie was working on a presentation and was looking for a YouTube video on the educational aspect of travel. While I didn’t find anything that she could use, I did find hundreds of videos selling how people can travel for free or almost free. Travel courses sharing secrets few people know about how to travel for free, business opportunities where people can travel like travel agents, travel clubs that offer travel at deep discounts, how to cruise for only $25.00 per day and on and on. All of the videos show beautiful people staying in resorts, on beaches, ships and hotel / resort rooms. They show people all over the world enjoying sightseeing, dining, entertainment and simply relaxing. Best of all, all of these videos will share their secrets on how to travel for free, or almost free. Of course, the videos will share this valuable information and/or opportunity for an investment of just a few hundred dollars.

Are people really this naive?

So, after over 40-years in the travel business, over 300 cruises, 150 countries and a lifetime of travel, I thought that I would share the top eight elements of how to travel for free SCAMS.

SCAM #1: You can’t take a “secret” course and travel the rest of your life for free: This video was so offensive it was shocking. Yet, the YouTube view count was over 120,000. Here is the reality; there are no “little known secrets” that will lead to unlimited luxury worldwide travel for free. Anyone that purchased this course needs some serious help.

SCAM #2: You can’t show a cruise line a phony travel agent business card and cruise for $25.00 per day: Cruise lines are not ignorant. They know which agencies are selling their products and never simply grant a discount to anyone that shows up claiming to be a travel agent. Part of the cruise line’s marketing strategy does not include giving deep discounts to travel agents who will then talk up the benefits of the cruise. They have millions of customers that pay full bore for their cabin and talk up the cruise.

SCAM #3: Airlines don’t upgrade travel agents: This one is so laughable it is sad. My wife and I get upgraded frequently on Continental Airlines (now United) not because we are in the travel industry, but because we are loyal frequent flyers. Airlines haven’t paid commissions to travel agents for years and do not see travel agents as a viable distribution channel. Travel agents are the least likely passenger to get upgraded to first class.

SCAM #4: MLMs and travel do not get along: Some of the most outrageous videos on YouTube are put there by people recruiting for MLMs (Multi Level Marketing). The list of failed MLMs in the travel industry is a mile long. The reason is that a MLM offers no efficiency savings and margins in the travel industry are too thin to support its ongoing operation. Yet the “investment” revenue (usually $495.00 to stay under federal disclosure laws) is quite handsome. Travel MLMs focus solely on recruiting new “agents” for their source of income, rather than the sale of travel. Many suppliers refuse to do business with MLMs because they see them only as discount centers for consumers who would otherwise pay full price.

SCAM #5: Hotels and resorts do not offer discounts or upgrades to every person that shows up with a travel agent business card or phony ID card: Most of the YouTube “Become a Travel Agent” videos make the claim that you will be able to stay at resorts and hotels around the world for practically nothing. Again, how stupid do you think the hotel and resort management teams are?

SCAM #6: Fam (familiarization) trips were widely available before the Airline Deregulation Act (1981) but not so much now. In a regulated environment when travel agencies were airline centric, destinations, tour operators, airlines and others would host travel agents on familiarization trips to introduce them to a new destination, product or service, Of course, these are long gone, but the sales pitch sounds so good, the legend lives on. If someone is telling you that you will go on “fabulous fam trips” as an agent, run the other way!

SCAM #7: Discount Travel Clubs are the number one travel scam according to MSNBC and ABC among others. The reason is that consumers sign an Agreement to pay monthly (or some other time period) membership dues and get nothing in return. Think “Vons Club” where Vons Club members save on every item. You go into a Vons and buy a bottle of wine for $17.95 and get a $5.00 “discount” paying only $12.95. Sure you got a “member discount” only you can buy the same bottle of wine elsewhere for the same amount as the “discounted price” or less. Margins in the travel industry are too thin for anyone to give a meaningful discount.

SCAM ALERT! I just heard about a new travel club that requires people to pay $150.00 to join and $35.00 per month to get HUGE travel discounts. Once you are a member and you book your first cruise or vacation, you earn “travel points” that you can use for your next vacation. Of course, the person that sold you the membership gets $100.00 of the initial payment and a portion of your monthly payment, as well. But wait, you can also recruit other people into the discount club and earn money on their membership revenue too. Oh brother!

SCAM #8: You have won a free cruise certificate! (just pay a nominal registration fee) Travel certificates are virtually always a SCAM. These are always sold through telemarketing so if you receive a telephone call saying you have won a free cruise or vacation, HANG UP! No matter how inviting the telemarketer makes it sound, hang up and realize that you just saved yourself a lot of grief. *Thanks to Phillip Martin for the use of his clip art. Visit his site at http://www.phillipmartin.info/

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Holiday booking scams and the red flags to avoid

Scammers are always looking for new ways to trick holidaymakers out of their money - but you can take steps to make sure you're not handing over your money to fraudsters.

Live news reporter @EmilyMeeSky

Tuesday 11 June 2024 18:22, UK

You've been looking forward to your trip for months, but as you're waiting at the airport you discover - to much frustration - that your flight has been cancelled.

Damn! Better go on to social media to tweet the company - you're hoping it might get their attention quicker than waiting on hold for an agent or in a long queue at the airport with hundreds of other passengers.

Within a short while, you have a reply - finally some good news!

The airline asks you to DM them, and after some back and forth they're willing to book you on to another flight. They'll need your payment details again, though.

Little did you realise, this was a tricky-to-spot scam . In your weariness you hadn't realised you were talking to a fake social media profile posing as your chosen airline.

This is one common holiday booking scam that has been tricking people out of their cash online.

In a report this year, Lloyds revealed holiday purchase scams have risen by 7% over the past year, with nearly half starting on Facebook.

The scams to watch out for

• Clone websites - these can appear for airlines, holidays, villas and more. Although you may think you're on a legitimate site, you may not have spotted the URL has been changed. You may even get fake confirmation emails or booking references.
• Social media promotions - similar to the clone websites, these can often impersonate airlines or hotels, or they may advertise accommodation that doesn't exist.
• Fake activities - when travellers end up paying for activities from fraudulent operators and the tour or activity does not exist.
• Phishing emails - these can appear to come from a legitimate provider and will often ask travellers to confirm their personal and payment details.
• Fake social media messages (as we mentioned above) - after passengers reach out for help on social media, scammers might reply posing as the airline or tour operator.
• Service fees for documents - a long-running scam sees copycat websites pop up where a fee is charged to process or renew a document or health insurance card.
• Airport parking - some scammers will claim to have a "safe place" for your car but that might not be the case, with some drivers returning to find their cars filthy, damaged or with added mileage.
• Counterfeit Atol numbers - while the Atol sign should mean your holiday is protected, scammers can use counterfeit numbers on fake web pages.

How can you avoid getting scammed?

Consumer champion Jane Hawkes, also known as Lady Janey , says it's important to do your research in the first place.

If the website claims to be part of any official travel body, check this for yourself.

For example, you can check if a company is truly Atol protected here .

Read reviews for the company too - although be aware that some may have fake reviews (these aren't easy to spot, but you should check for things like whether lots of reviews were posted at the same time, if lots of the reviews go over-the-top, and if many use the same phrasing).

You can also do a Google Maps search for the property being advertised.

Check contact details are readily available on websites and that there is a telephone number.

"Many scam sites purposely don't have one," Jane explains.

"If you can't get hold of a company for general enquiries, it'll be a whole lot more difficult if something goes wrong."

Jane also says you should check for red flags such as poor spelling and grammar in adverts, limited-time offers, and the pressure to make decisions on the spot.

She recommends keeping all communication on the official platform, for example, when booking through Airbnb.

"Scammers will try to lure you away in order to gain your personal and banking details. Steer away from any personal correspondence via email, WhatsApp or text," she says.

Read more Think twice before buying holiday clothes from Zara World's best restaurant named - how much does it cost? How Germany is ramping up security for 'high-risk' England game

When it comes to booking, Jane says to never action a bank transfer or provide your bank details in response to an advert.

She suggests using a credit card if the offer is legitimate - this means you'll benefit from extra cover if anything goes wrong.

Don't agree to PayPal transfers, especially if the transfer is made as "PayPal Friends and Family" as this reduces the protection PayPal can offer.

For the highest level of consumer protection, Jane recommends booking a package holiday with a trusted travel agent.

If you have been the victim of a scam then you should report it to the Financial Conduct Authority, Trading Standards, Police Action Fraud or Citizens Advice Scam Action as appropriate.

Related Topics

Travel expert advises how to spot, avoid and prevent falling for travel scams this summer

A great summer vacation can include anything from adventurous outdoor activities to relaxing rambles through foreign city streets, but nothing stops pleasant plans in their tracks quite like an unexpected travel scam.

To help travelers stay on track this summer, " Good Morning America " tapped expert Katy Nastro to share her top tips and recommendations of what people can do to avoid possibly getting swindled and ultimately ensure a stress-free trip from start to finish.

Travel scams to avoid falling for this summer

Nastro, a regular globe trotter herself with Going.com , first warned of hackers who may attempt to steal frequent flyer miles -- a situation that recently happened to her.

Upon returning from a trip earlier this year, Nastro checked her American Airlines account and told "GMA" that she "noticed the mileage account balance was extremely low to the point where I had to rethink and go through my last my last few trips within my app to make sure that I hadn't used the points. But I knew I hadn't, because it was such a large amount and I've been sort of saving them up for a trip over to Asia -- so I contacted the airline immediately."

Related Articles

MORE: US cities rank low on list of world's most active, walkable cities, analysis finds

In speaking with a customer service agent, Nastro said the airline team pulled up "a ticket redemption to somewhere in Asia with a name that I have no recollection of -- nor do I know this person," assuring it wasn't a family member, nor was it a friend that she would have gifted miles to.

"That kicked off a month-long sort of investigation," she said. "I had to file a formal police report within 30 days -- because it's considered property -- it's very weird because there's not any true regulations around loyalty points, so you first have to go through the issuer, in this case American Airlines."

The airline's fraud team asked Nastro to set up another Advantage account with a new email and password because "I could no longer use my old account because it had been hacked."

"Customer service is paramount to American, and we do not tolerate anyone taking advantage of our customers," a representative told ABC News in an emailed statement. "If we become aware of a compromised AAdvantage account, we immediately take action to secure the customer’s account and work closely with the customer to resolve any fraud."

When Nastro was at her local police station, she said the officers were somewhat familiar with the dilemma because "another person in my area, not too far away from where I live, actually had the same exact sort of situation happened with a much larger amount of miles."

After the airline's investigation resolved that "it was actual fraud," Nastro said "it was a couple of weeks before I then saw the miles back into my account."

"Coming out of the pandemic, people [have been] accruing so many points and miles, due to all the spending but not actual travel," Nastro said, which she explained could lead to account holders to "not really be aware of their balances" and most likely while "using a password that they've used for decades" which can make accounts more vulnerable.

"These hackers were able to get in through [an] email and then take all these miles -- or a portion of miles -- and are not blinking an eyelash because they had accrued so many," she said.

Tips to avoid digital travel scams

Her advice? "Change and update passwords and use a password keeper -- as well as checking your account often," Nastro suggested.

"Do not click into anything that looks sort of suspicious, even though it might look branded from the airline," she said.

Plus, the experts at Going have seen when people experience airline issues, such as delays or cancelations, and search for customer service resources via social media, "We have heard of people getting scammed where they get sent a Whatsapp number versus the actual airline."

"You've got to be so careful these days of who you're talking to," she said, urging folks to be wary of anyone asking specific personal details to get access to an account. "The airline will already have the information they need on you. They need your record locator and your first and last name, that's it. They shouldn't be asking for anything else when they're looking at your reservation."

Common scams to look out for if traveling abroad

Nastro also shared details about some scams that commonly take place in European cities that she said could potentially catch American visitors off guard.

MORE: It's not too late to book summer travel deals, these expert tips make it easier

Friendship Bracelets

"The scammer will come over and try to put a handmade bracelet on you, explaining its significance, then ask for an exorbitant amount of money after they've made it difficult to take off," Nastro warned. "Or this can be used as a distraction to then pick-pocket if there are others around."

Single Rose or Flower

"The scammer will approach hetero couples and hand a rose to the woman. They will then chastise the man for not coughing up a large sum for the rose, or flower, often insulting him and making him embarrassed enough to pay the vendor," Nastro said.

Photographer

"Be cautious of random people offering to take your photo, especially if alone," Nastro said. "They sometimes will run off with your camera or phone before you've even setup for your shot."

Dropped Wallet

"An empty wallet is placed in a busy area to see who will pick it up and look around to ask who might have dropped it," Nastro explained. "In doing so, many times, we also make sure we have our own wallet, and then the thief can make a note where this is kept to try and pickpocket you later on."

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Anti-fraud group Profit urges agents to make contact over new scam

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The chairman of travel anti-fraud group Profit has urged agents to get in touch if they believe customers have fallen victim to an airline booking portal scam.

The call follows advice issued by The Travel Network Group on how agents can protect their businesses from the increasing threat of fraudulent airline websites.

Profit chairman Barry Gooch said one of the latest scams involved customers being conned into handing over hundreds of pounds to choose their airline seat.

This has happened when clients have managed the booking made by their agent by going to what they believe to be the airline’s legitimate website page to choose their airline seat.

Gooch said agents could warn their customers about potential scams or choose the seats on their behalf to avoid clients being conned out of money.

He said: “Travel agents rely on repeat customers so the last thing they want is for someone booking through them to find out someone else has scammed them.

“If this happens please get in touch with me. If you are not aware this is happening check with your clients. I would advise them to scan for spyware [malicious software] in case something is on their computer system, which usually comes from a phishing email.”

Gooch said he believed the “vast majority” of agents were unaware of the scam.

“The easy way to stop this is to book seats for customers,” he added.

TTNG has issued urgent advice for members which suggests agents verify website URLs, use secure connections and trusted sources, avoid clicking on email links, update passwords, use multi-factor authentication and update their security software.

The Advantage Travel Partnership said its members had access to in-depth tips, videos and information on topics such as phishing and stolen credit cards to help prevent them falling victim to fraudulent scams.

David Moon, head of business development, said: “We have also been working closely with the Prevention of Fraud in Trade (Profit) to share information of any individuals who have been involved in fraudulent activity across the travel industry and with other member organisations.”

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The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more .

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‘I worked in travel and this isn’t that irregular unfortunately’: Woman slams Texas travel agent for allegedly scamming customers out of nearly $60,000

‘this was bonkers. straight to jail.’.

Posted on Jun 7, 2024     Updated on Jun 7, 2024, 2:34 pm CDT

Emily Lockard-Furry is the most wanted travel agent in the world right now. Not because people are dying to enlist her services to plan a magical vacation, but because she’s been accused of scamming clients out of their money.

According to Fox 4 Beaumont , Lockard-Furry, through her company Traveluxe Official LLC. took money from clients but didn’t apply the funds to their trips. Numerous customers have slapped her with a lawsuit as a result. 12 News spoke with attorney Layne Walker Jr., who says he is handling several gripes against the agent.

According to the legal representative, this is a story that hits home for many of Lockard-Furry’s customers—as many of them were members of her own community, or even family. The lawyer believes that over the years she has cumulatively defrauded her clients out of at least $1,000,000.

A TikTok user named Corrie ( @cjoskerr ) delineated some of the “small town tea” in a series of different videos.

@cjoskerrr Yalllll. This story is WILD! Lmk if you want to go over more of it 🤯 #travel #scam #allegedly #setx #exposed ♬ original sound – Corrie 💕

Vacations ruined by a scam

In the video, Corrie highlights one customer’s incident where a family paid $60,000 for a luxury vacation to see the northern lights. So how was the agent able to pull the wool over their eyes? Allegedly, the woman sent them a reservation confirmation, but never any tickets for their flight.

The family, all ready to go on their vacation, had to fork over their credit card to cover the cost of their flights. Then when they arrived at the airport, they had to pay again for the cab, using their own credit cards in the process. All the while, Lockard-Furry is telling them that they will be refunded the money they paid to her preemptively so they could just enjoy their trip.

She was supposed to use those funds to take care of every leg of their journey, but, Corrie says, the woman just took the family’s cash, just like many of her other clients are alleging, and pocketed it for herself with zero intention of putting it towards her customers’ journeys.

In the case of this Northern Lights family, Corrie says that they ended up accruing an additional $50,000 in credit card charges on top of the $60,000 they wired to Lockard-Furry beforehand for their vacation of a lifetime.

In the same video, Corrie references that the travel agent effectively screwed over her own family members with her business scam, which News 12 references, along with how she was able to book reservations for specific portions of the trip. Apparently, the agent ended up using an “expired American Express card” for the reservations. These reservations were then used to dupe customers into thinking everything was in order when it actually wasn’t.

@cjoskerrr Replying to @Bethany’s Cookie Jar its a slower day at the tea shop today, so im spilling the tea online 😅 📰 👱🏻‍♀️ #emilylockardfurry #scam #photography #travel #hideyokidshideyowife #theyscammineverybodyouthere ♬ original sound – Corrie 💕

The Better Business Bureau’s website currently lists Traveluxe Official LLC. as having a C- rating, with 1 out of 5 stars from three reviewers.

One person penned, “I do not recommend doing business with Emily. I booked $30k worth of trips with her in 2 years. I had booked a $12k trip and cancelled – within the window – due to medical issue. I have spent the past 60+ days seeking a refund of my money, and Emily refuses to provide it. She is not responding to my emails and texts, and has essentially stolen $12k from me. I would never use her again.”

As of this writing, it appears that Emily Lockard-Furry’s Instagram has been deactivated . The Daily Dot has reached out to Layne Walker Jr. for further comment on this case.

The internet is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter  here  to get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

*First Published: Jun 7, 2024, 9:00 pm CDT

Jack Alban is a freelance journalist for the Daily Dot covering trending human interest/social media stories and the reactions real people have to them. He always seeks to incorporate evidence-based studies, current events, and facts pertinent to these stories to create your not-so-average viral post.

Travelers Warned Against Rise Of Fraudulent Airline Websites

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says its Scam Tracker "has received multiple reports of scammers creating fake airline ticket booking sites,"

Natasha D • Jun 12, 2024

Jet-setters are increasingly falling victim to sneaky, fake airline websites during their travel bookings . Last month, The Travel Network Group (TTNG) in the U.K. gave its members an “urgent” warning to be alert and mindful of websites posing as airline websites.

A Facebook post from the organization specified that “fraudulent websites” were posing “as legitimate airline booking portals.” TTNG claimed the ongoing scam had targeted some of its members.

According to Travel Weekly, TTNG alleged that the rise in fake airline websites could lead to financial loss and mistrust in the travel industry.

“Protecting our members and their customers is our top priority,” said TTNG CEO Gary Lewis. “The rise in fraudulent airline websites poses a significant threat, and it is imperative that we take immediate action.”

What Can You Do To Avoid Falling Victim To False Airline Scams?

Travel Weekly noted that TTNG’s advisory included details on the following, which could help avoid airline scams:

• Verifying URLS
• Online browsing via secure connections
• Using trusted sources
• Avoiding clicking on email links
• Regularly updating passwords
• Utilizing multi-factor authentication
• Having updated security software

In June 2024, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said its Scam Tracker “has received multiple reports of scammers creating fake airline ticket booking sites, or customer service numbers to charge travelers for rescheduling fake flights.” The non-profit organization advised being wary of third-party travel websites .

“Be suspicious of websites with no working customer service number or physical address. Typos and grammatical errors can indicate a scammer’s handiwork,” the BBB outlined.

“It can be easy to click on a sponsored ad or impostor website without noticing,” the organization added elsewhere in its advisory. “Before entering any sensitive information, double-check that you are on the right website and that the link is secure.”

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Jail for man who cheated six victims of over $108k in ticketing and investment scams

SINGAPORE – A conman cheated six victims of more than $108,000 in total in different scams in 2022 and 2023, and misappropriated another $22,400 from his employer in 2019.

David Chua, 36, who pleaded guilty to two cheating charges and one count of criminal breach of trust, was sentenced to a year and nine months in jail on June 14.

He is expected to start serving his sentence on July 19 and was offered bail of $15,000.

Some time on or before Aug 13, 2022, Chua hatched a plan to cheat others and advertised the sale of tickets to an e-gaming tournament on online marketplace Carousell.

Five victims transferred nearly $21,000 to him in total on at least six occasions between Aug 13 and Oct 23, 2022, but he did not send them their tickets.

He has since made restitution totalling $2,700 to three of the victims.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ryan Lim said that the sixth victim of cheating got to know Chua through the same Carousell advertisement.

The DPP told the court that Chua then cheated the man, adding: “The accused had offered the victim various purported investment opportunities, including in currency trading, and the victim made... transfers to take advantage of those opportunities. The transfers were all made to bank accounts in the accused’s name.”

Chua then told the victim that the so-called trading account used for one of the latter’s “investments” had been frozen.

He instructed the man to contact his friend “Khun Nai”, claiming he was a broker who could purportedly arrange for the withdrawal of the victim’s investment monies. 

Posing as Khun Nai, Chua later instructed the unsuspecting victim to transfer sums of money on 25 occasions between Dec 17, 2022, and Jan 31, 2023. The transfers were made to either Chua’s bank account, or to those used by gambling websites to top up Chua’s gambling accounts.

DPP Lim said: “The accused lied that the transfers were necessary to enable the victim to withdraw his investment monies, or to pay fees, or to settle other issues relating to the investment. Believing this, the victim made the transfers accordingly.”

In total, Chua duped the sixth victim into transferring more than $87,600. Chua has made no restitution to him.

Separately, the court heard that Chua had also worked as a consultant at a travel agency.

Between September and October 2019, he asked six of its customers to pay for their tour packages through methods such as cash transfers to his personal bank accounts.

These customers paid a total of $22,400 to Chua, who made off with the money. He then used the amount to pay off his gambling debts.

One of the customers later contacted the travel agency, stating that he did not receive some items, including an itinerary.

The agency conducted an internal investigation and Chua’s employment was terminated on Oct 31, 2019. One of its representatives alerted the police the next day. Chua has made no restitution to his former employer.

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No, you probably didn't win a free vacation. Don't let these scams ruin your summer fun

Summer months mean vacations, outdoor concerts – and unfortunately, scams.

Though scams happen year-round, during the summer there's an increase in fraud around popular summer activities, Dan Cusick, a fraud and claim executive at Wells Fargo, told USA TODAY.

"Scammers and/or bad actors, as we often refer to them, really just look to exploit events. So whether it's the holiday season, whether it's summertime and concerts ... their whole MO isn't so much to get to that one person," Cusick said. "It's to exploit an event, and then those people come to that event and the scam is on."

Young adults may be the most vulnerable to summer scams

"Fraud and scams are an equal-opportunity sport" that will exploit anybody, Cusick said, but young adults ages 18 to 24 are more likely to become victims of summer frauds, particularly fake concert tickets.

In a study in October 2023, the Better Business Bureau found that consumers ages 18 to 24 reported a higher median loss in scams than other age groups for the first time in 2022.

Still, scams happen to any age group, he said. In February, the Federal Trade Commission said consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023, marking the first time fraud losses have reached that benchmark. It was also a 14% increase over losses reported in 2022.

Fake vacation rentals, concert tickets are common scams

Here are some common summer scams, according to Cusick:

• Summer concert and event scams. Fraudsters will target and exploit popular summer concerts, trying to lure victims through fake websites, social media posts or emails offering tickets at discounted prices. Victims are asked to pay upfront for the tickets, often via a peer-to-peer payment app, which may not have as many protections against fraud.
• Fake travel websites. Be on the lookout for spoofed or fake travel websites, which can be disguised as legitimate sources. These sites might look real and offer attractive deals on flights, hotels and vacation packages, but there is no vacation. If a website asks for payment in the form of a gift card or a wire transfer, that's a red flag. Another red flag: if the site asks you to book immediately.
• The disappearing vacation rental. Scammers are trying to take advantage of popular sites like AirBnB and VRBO by offering properties that don't exist or don't belong to them. If the site asks you to go to another site to make your payment, or if that payment is required via an unusual payment method, that's a red flag. Research the rental property by doing an online search for the owner's name and property address.
• You've won a free vacation. Some scammers will try to trick consumers into believing they've won a "free" vacation, but they need to pay a fee to receive the prize or pay for taxes.

Beware of scams targeting senior citizen Here's tips to protect yourself or a loved one

Tips to protect yourself from scams

Cusick's tips to protect yourself:

• Verify websites. Make sure the URL is an authentic website of a known company. Look for the padlock icon, which indicates it's a secure site.
• Book direct. When possible, book directly from an official travel provider.
• Use a credit card. Credit card purchases provide certain protections for consumers, while peer-to-peer payment apps may not.
• Use caution with QR codes. QR codes can be convenient, but be aware that scammers can use QR codes to send you to a malicious site. Verify the site is legitimate.

Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher . Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which will include consumer news on Fridays, here.