Navigating the world of online travel bookings can be filled with excitement as you plan your next adventure, whether it’s an international escape or a local road trip.
However, it’s crucial to be mindful of potential red flags to avoid falling victim to online travel scams. These scams can cost Americans hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in lost travel funds.
In 2022, travel-related scams cost US consumers over $105 million, accounting for 16% of all fraud reported by the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network.
As of May 2023, digital travel scams had cost consumers over $265,140, averaging $700 per incident, according to the Better Business Bureau.
To help you steer clear of these pitfalls, here are 15 online scams travelers should be aware of:
1. Too Good To Be True Offers:
Be wary of advertisements for a “free” vacation. According to the Federal Trade Commission, these attention-getting headlines often hide fees or taxes that can quickly add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars.
If a deal seems incredibly cheap compared to others, like airfare or a hotel room priced significantly less on one site, it’s likely a digital travel scam. If you’re suspicious, call the hotel or airline directly to confirm.
2. Robocalls:
Companies using robocalls to make a sale are engaging in illegal activity unless they have your written consent.
Most robocalls offering travel deals are likely a scam, and you should avoid visiting any website or filling out any online form they request.
3. Fake Document Services:
When planning overseas travel, you might see online ads offering help with travel visas, passports, or other necessary documents.
These companies are either fraudulent or charge excessively high fees for services that are available for free on the US Department of State website.
4. Vacation Rental Scams:
Scammers exploit vacation rental sites by either duplicating legitimate bookings or creating listings for properties that don’t actually exist. For added security, it’s recommended to book vacation rentals through a legitimate company’s site.
5. Fly Free Schemes:
Advertisements for luxurious chartered flights, sometimes including lodging and tours, can be scams.
Before making a full payment, it’s important to double-check the approved list of public chartered flights maintained by the US Department of Transportation’s Special Authorities Division.
6. Mistaken Identity / Poor Quality Websites:
A travel website filled with spelling errors is a strong indicator of a potential scam. Since many digital travel scams originate outside the US, customer-facing materials like websites and ads often contain mistakes.
7. Lack of Social Media Presence:
The Better Business Bureau advises checking a travel website’s social media links. If the links don’t lead to real Facebook or Instagram accounts, or if you have any doubts about the company’s legitimacy, it’s best to avoid booking with them altogether.
8. Early Full Payment Demands:
Be cautious if asked to pay for your trip in full more than 60 days before your departure date. Scammers often demand payment this far in advance because the window to dispute a charge on a credit card is typically within 60 days of receiving the bill.
9. Unusual Payment Methods:
If a company requests payment using non-traditional methods such as reloadable gift cards or wire transfers, it is likely a scam. Always use a credit card for payment to benefit from your credit card’s fraud protection.
10. Fake Reviews:
Always review a company’s reviews before booking. If reviews are either exclusively terrible or suspiciously glowing, the positive ones could be fake.
Look for reviews on independent third-party sites like TripAdvisor or verify the site’s credentials with the Better Business Bureau to ensure legitimacy.
11. External Payment Requests:
If you are asked to make a payment outside of the booking engine you are using, do not proceed. Scammers might have duplicated a booking and are attempting to get payment without triggering alerts on the legitimate website.
12. Lack of Transparency (No Photos):
A legitimate hotel or lodging website should always display photos of the specific room you plan to book.
If you cannot find photos online of the accommodation, cruise ship, or other place you plan to stay in advance, it is likely not real.
13. Last-Minute Booking Scams:
If booking a last-minute trip, call the hotel or airline directly to confirm your reservation. According to travel fraud research by Sift, day-of bookings are 4.3 times more likely to be a scam.
14. Unrealistic Competitive Rates:
As mentioned before, if the rates seem too good to be true, they likely are. Significantly lower prices compared to other booking engines are a red flag. Call the hotel or airline directly if you are suspicious.
15. Bad URLs:
One of the easiest ways to identify an online travel scam is by checking the website’s URL. Legitimate websites typically start with “https://”, indicating a secure site. If the URL looks odd or contains random letters and symbols, it’s likely a scam.
Alicia Richards