As we gear up for the summer holiday season and plan our trips to sunny destinations, it’s important to be aware of the potential online scams and cyber threats that can put a damper on our vacations. Travel fraud is a lucrative business for cybercriminals, and they are constantly coming up with new ways to trick unsuspecting travelers out of their money. In fact, in 2022 alone, there were over 62,400 victim reports filed with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), resulting in a total loss of $104 million.
According to a recent report from fraud reporting center Action Fraud, the UK has also seen a significant increase in holiday booking fraud, with over £15 million lost in the past financial year, representing a 41% year-on-year increase. The most common types of holiday booking fraud include accommodation scams, airline ticket scams, sports and religious trip scams, and timeshare and vacation club scams. Scammers use various tactics to trick travelers, such as setting up fake websites, posting fake ads on legitimate websites and social media platforms, and even hacking rewards accounts or hijacking credit cards to offer cheaper deals.
One of the most common scams targeting travelers is the bogus free vacation scam. Victims are contacted via unsolicited emails, calls, or texts claiming that they have won a vacation through a prize draw they never entered. The scammers then ask for a fee to unlock the supposedly “free” vacation, often disguised as taxes or fees. However, there is no actual prize, and the fraudsters simply pocket the money. In one recent example, a scam impersonating Emirates offered a free holiday through a WhatsApp message and Facebook ads. It is important to be cautious and avoid sharing personal or financial information with scammers and to notify your bank if you believe you have been targeted.
Another common scam is the use of clone sites, which are designed to impersonate legitimate airline, vacation, or comparison websites. These clone sites are often used to lure victims into booking fake flights or accommodations, and victims may only realize they have been scammed when they arrive at the check-in desk or their accommodations. It is crucial to double-check the legitimacy of websites and to be wary of suspicious confirmation emails or booking references.
Some cybercriminals also offer heavily discounted tickets, vacations, and hotel packages. While these deals may seem too good to pass up, they are often a result of stolen credit cards or hijacked loyalty accounts. These discounted offers may be advertised through social media, spam emails, or robocalls. Travelers who fall for these scams risk having their stays cut short or experiencing other complications when the fraud is discovered.
In addition to these scams, there are other threats that travelers should be aware of, such as fake rental homes. Scammers often insert their own listings on legitimate rental or classifieds sites, offering properties that either don’t exist or are not available for rent. To avoid falling victim to this type of scam, it is recommended to book rental homes through reputable websites that offer protection against fake listings.
Charter flight scams are also a common tactic used by fraudsters. They may offer private plane hire packages bundled with accommodation, only to disappear once they have received the payment, leaving travelers without the promised flights or accommodations.
Even after arriving at the destination, travelers should remain vigilant of Wi-Fi threats. It is advised to avoid logging into banking or other valuable accounts using free public Wi-Fi unless a reputable virtual private network (VPN) service is used to encrypt the connection and protect against potential eavesdropping by cybercriminals. Fake Wi-Fi hotspots can be set up by hackers to steal passwords and personal or financial data, and even legitimate hotspots may be compromised by hackers lurking on the same network to spy on online activities or distribute malware.
Travelers should also be cautious of USB charging threats, also known as “juice jacking”. Criminals may load malware onto publicly available charging stations or cables left plugged into these stations. Connecting a device to these compromised charging points can result in the device being infected with malware designed to steal data and passwords.
To avoid falling victim to these scams and threats, travelers should take some precautions. It is important to do research and check online for reviews and reports of scams related to travel companies, hotels, rentals, and travel agents. Be cautious of unsolicited communications and never reply to them. If you are interested in following up on an ad, contact the organization directly using the contact information from their official website. Avoid making payments through wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrencies, or money apps that offer no buyer protection. Always double-check the URL of websites to ensure they are legitimate and be cautious of heavily discounted offers that seem too good to be true. To mitigate the risk of losses from air tickets, make sure the seller is ATOL protected. When using public Wi-Fi, always use a reputable VPN service to encrypt your connection. And finally, be aware of the potential risks of using public charging stations and avoid using them if possible.
As we embark on our summer vacations and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and take measures to protect ourselves from online scams and cyber threats. By staying informed and following these precautions, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable vacation season.