Airplane aisle during flight
Suhyeon Choi on Unsplash

As you prepare for your next trip, there's a step before the pre-travel checklist that you need to do. And that's protecting yourself against travel scams.

According to research, in the first quarter of 2023, 40 million adults were victims of scammers.

Yes, the digital world has opened up our opportunities to travel and see the world, but it also gave scammers a platform to conduct their shady business.

Let's talk about the world of online scams and make sure you're well-prepared to avoid falling for them. Here's the list of the travel scams you should be aware of before your next trip.

1. Unrealistic Last-Minute Discounts

Everyone loves a great bargain, especially when we're going on holiday. Unfortunately, the truth is that if it looks too good to be real, it probably is.

Scammers would love for you to fall for the luxury of a five-star hotel for the price of the cheapest hostel in town, and they are right.

Who wouldn't want that?

It just doesn't happen. You have to do your research thoroughly and rent only from a verified, reputable source. When in doubt, check with other travelers and listen to their recommendations.

2. Non-Existent Vacation Rentals

Online platforms for vacation rentals, like Airbnb, have changed the travel landscape forever.

Unfortunately, it has also changed the way online scammers operate. Watch out for these:

  • Property owners that want to get your payment outside the platform or houses with pictures that are either too luxurious or lacking in detail. The goal of hosts or owners is to get people to go there; they need to pay attention to detail.

  • People who aim to message you outside the platform. These vacation rental apps always have built-in messaging to protect you from scams, so don't accept them.

Remember: Honest hosts will keep your safety in mind.

3. Phishing Attempts

If hackers get a whiff of you planning a vacation, rest assured: they will try to scam you via phishing. In fact, the FBI put out a report and they registered 300,497 phishing attacks just in 2022.

If you get suspicious emails from airlines or booking platforms, start investigating. These emails can be super optimistic or tell you about this great prize you've won, like holidays in Hawaii or a trip to the Bahamas.

To stay safe, check out the email addresses, never click on suspicious links, and try to speak directly to the company that wants to contact you through official channels.

4. Online Payment Frauds

When a platform asks you to provide payment details, you have to be sure that they're legit before inputting the information. When you're planning a trip, you will have to pay for things in advance, often through online platforms.

Scammers often build fake websites to get people to leave their credit card information so that they can steal your money. According to research, losses to online payment frauds were estimated at 41 billion US dollars in 2022.

Make sure that the website is secure before you put any sensitive information on the platform. Look for the padlock symbol in the browser bar and check it with a Google search if you're still suspicious.

5. Counterfeit Travel Websites

With so many travel websites vying for your attention, it's easy to stumble upon counterfeit ones that mimic reputable platforms. These imitations aim to extract your personal and financial data.

To distinguish between the authentic and the fraudulent, double-check the website's URL, look for a physical address, and read reviews from other travelers. Stick to well-known sites and be cautious when exploring unfamiliar ones.

6. The Free Trip Hoax

I've mentioned it before, but it's worth getting into detail here. We've all gotten those exciting emails or pop-ups telling us we've won a free trip to an exotic, trendy destination.

Don't get your hopes up too fast! Legitimate giveaways are very rare, and scammers will often ask for your credit card numbers with whatever excuse they come up with. If the trip is free, why would they need that information?

These are most likely scams:

  • Unsolicited emails with free prizes;

  • Requests for payments in advance;

  • Companies with very little official information.

Your Travel Scam Survival Kit To Stay Safe Wherever You Go

Now that we've explored the most common travel scams out there, let's talk about protecting yourself against them:

  • Research! Never rush to book hotels, flights, or excursions. Investigate the best deals and the best properties and check that the websites are legitimate.

  • Stick to the well-known platforms and always read the reviews other people leave.

  • Never interact outside the platform, and don't share personal information through email.

  • Use secure payment methods; don't transfer money in advance.

  • Get a premium VPN to encrypt your connection and keep hackers away from your activity online.

  • Report suspicious links and dodgy platforms to the relevant authorities.

To Sum Up

Being aware of the most common online scams when you're preparing for your next trip is crucial to having a good time when you get there. Arm yourself with knowledge and, when in doubt, keep researching.

Traveling is all about the fun and the experience!

Pack your bag, secure your online activities, and let the adventure begin. Happy travels!