Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a business trip, or your next vacation, it’s always a good idea to watch out for travel scams. While you’re searching for the best deals, scammers are looking for ways to steal your money or personal information. Here are some tips to help you travel with confidence.
Travel scams can appear when you’re searching online for hotels, flights, or vacation rentals. Scammers sometimes create paid advertisements that display their phone number alongside a well-known company’s name or direct you to a website that looks like it belongs to a trusted hotel or airline. To stay safe, scroll past sponsored search results and verify you’re visiting the company’s official website. Better yet, type the company’s web address directly into your browser if you know it.
Scammers also target drivers by sending text messages claiming you have unpaid tolls and demanding immediate payment. If you receive one of these messages and aren’t sure it’s legitimate, contact the state’s toll agency using a phone number or website you know is authentic—not the contact information provided in the text.
Here are a few more ways to avoid travel scams:
- Get all the details before booking. If a travel organizer can’t or won’t provide specific information about accommodations, transportation, or other arrangements, it’s best to walk away.
- Do your research. Search the names of travel companies, hotels, vacation rentals, and travel agents along with words like “scam,” “review,” or “complaint” to see what others have experienced.
- Pay attention to payment methods. Scammers often insist on payment by wire transfer, gift cards, payment apps, or cryptocurrency because these methods are difficult to reverse. Whenever possible, use a credit card or another payment method that offers fraud protection.
For more information about travel scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s travel scam resources. If you believe you’ve encountered a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.