Travel scams are getting smarter. Here’s how to protect yourself

Pickpocketing has long been a concern for travelers, but modern scams are becoming more advanced. Artificial intelligence is being used to create convincing fake websites and exploit stolen data, making it harder for consumers to spot these scams, says Florent Silve, an executive at Engine, a corporate travel management platform.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost $3.5 billion to scams in 2021, with 1 in 3 reports being related to impostor scams. These scams often occur before departure, as scammers pose as hotels or airlines to exploit the expectation of communication from these companies. Scammers now use real information to make their communications appear legitimate, such as reservation details or the exact cost of a hotel stay.

To avoid reservation hijacking, contact the hotel directly using the official website's number instead of clicking any links provided in suspicious emails or texts. Be cautious of flight cancellation notifications, as scammers may impersonate airlines to rebook flights at an additional cost. Avoid clicking on links in such messages and verify flight status directly on the airline's website or booking system.

To protect against QR code scams, do not post travel documents on social media, as they can reveal sensitive information. If suspicious, ask a staff member for assistance or use alternative payment methods. Lastly, when using public Wi-Fi, limit activities to basic searches and avoid accessing sensitive accounts like banking or email to minimize the risk of cyber attacks.