With global travel spending expected to top more than $2 trillion this year, it’s no surprise that scammers are working overtime too. But these days, the biggest risks usually aren’t dodgy characters in a busy square — they’re happening online, often before you’ve even packed your suitcase.
The good news? A little awareness goes a long way. Knowing what to look out for can save you money, stress, and a whole lot of frustration. Here are some of the most common travel scams — and how to avoid them.
1. Watch Out for Fake Hotel Sites
Booking platforms are great for comparing prices, but many hotels still encourage guests to book directly. They’ll often offer perks like better rates, flexible cancellation, or room upgrades. Unfortunately, scammers know this and use this to scam travelers of their money.
Fake hotel websites are getting very convincing — copying layouts, branding, and even booking flows. The giveaway is usually in the URL. You might see something like hotelname.net instead of .com, or a subtle misspelling that’s easy to overlook.
Before entering any details, double-check that the website URL matches the hotel’s official contact information. Also look for https at the start of the address — that encryption is a basic (but essential) safety check.
2. Be Wary of Travel-Related Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are no longer limited to obvious spam emails. Many now look like legitimate booking confirmations or payment issues, urging you to “confirm details” or “resolve a problem.” The link leads to a convincing copy of a real website — but anything you enter there goes straight to scammers.
A recent example of an advanced scam even involved hacked hotel accounts on Booking.com. Messages requesting advance payments or updates may arrive inside the official chat system,
making them incredibly hard to spot.
If something feels off, pause. Check the payment destination carefully, inspect the URL, and when in doubt, contact the hotel directly through official channels.
3. Learn to Spot Fake Rentals
Short-term rental scams are another big one — especially on otherwise legitimate platforms.
Typically, scammers list a gorgeous property at an unusually good price, using stolen photos and fake reviews. When it’s time to pay, they’ll ask you to move the conversation or payment off-platform.That’s your cue to walk away.
Any request to pay outside the platform’s system is a red flag, regardless of the excuse. If you proceed, there’s a good chance you’ll lose your money — and the property may not even exist.
4. Steer Clear of “Great Deals”
Every holiday season, social media fills up with jaw-dropping travel deals: luxury resorts for pennies, flights that seem impossible, or “limited-time” FOMO-resistant offers.
While genuine deals do exist, most of the ones flooding your feed are scams designed to harvest payments or personal data. If you’re tempted, do your homework. Research the company, look for independent reviews, and see whether others have reported issues. When in doubt, don’t engage.
5. Stay Safe When Using Public Wi-Fi
Not all travel scams happen before your trip — some kick in once you’ve arrived. Public Wi-Fi is everywhere: airports, cafés, hotels, beach bars. But fake Honeypot Wi-Fi is surprisingly common in tourist hotspots. These networks are designed to look
legitimate, sometimes even using the same name as the real venue Wi-Fi.
Once connected, scammers can intercept unprotected data or redirect you to malicious websites. To stay safe, use a VPN on all your devices while travelling. A free VPN can cover your phone, laptop, and tablet under one subscription, encrypting your connection and protecting your data wherever you log on.
6. Travel Smart, Stay Safe
Travel scams are constantly evolving, but staying informed puts you one step ahead. Double-check URLs, verify payment requests, and protect your online connections — especially when you’re on the move.
If you want an extra layer of protection, you can also look into data removal services that delete your information from people-finder sites. For a breakdown of options, check out comparisons like Incogni vs Deleteme.
A little caution now means you can focus on what really matters later — enjoying your trip, stress-free.
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