As summer travel season begins, cybercriminals are targeting travelers through online booking scams. McAfee’s study reveals the top five destinations scammers exploit: Fort Myers Beach, Florida; Sandusky, Ohio; Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania; Waimea, Hawaii; and Chicago. Popular vacation spots attract scammers due to high consumer interest and spending. Scams like AI-generated scams, fake booking websites, impersonation scams, public Wi-Fi risks, phishing emails, and oversharing on social media are prevalent. Consequences of falling victim to these scams can be severe, with many Americans losing money to travel-related scams.
To protect yourself, book directly with reputable companies, be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, use a credit card for transactions, avoid public Wi-Fi without a VPN, and validate listings across multiple platforms. Having strong antivirus software is crucial to protect against malware and phishing attempts. Watch out for red flags like listings with no reviews, requests to communicate or pay outside the platform, pressure to make quick decisions, and unusual payment methods. By staying informed about common scams and following best practices for online safety, travelers can reduce the risk of falling victim to travel-related fraud.
