Vacation Travel Scams Are Up 900%

Summer is a prime season for vacation travel. If you're planning any last-minute trips, be aware of a circulating scam. With the rising costs of food and travel, it's natural to seek the best online deals to plan an affordable, memorable vacation. However, according to Booking.com, cybercriminals are exploiting this trend with highly convincing, AI-generated phishing emails that can drain your savings far beyond your vacation budget. Marnie Wilking, Booking.com's Chief Information Security Officer, reports a staggering 500% to 900% increase in travel-related scams over the past 18 months due to this tactic.

How are these scammers operating? Though phishing emails have been around since the early days of the Internet, AI tools like ChatGPT now enable the creation of realistic and professional-looking scam emails. Previously, phishing emails were often easy to spot due to spelling and grammatical errors. With AI, cybercriminals can now produce dozens of seemingly legitimate emails that often evade detection by both software and recipients.

Here's their method:

Scammers exploit sites like Booking.com or Airbnb.com, which allow users to list short-term rentals. They send emails offering incredible rates or urgent deals on non-existent properties. Once someone pays, the scammers either disappear with the money, leaving the renter stranded, or continue to extract additional "fees" or "charges" before vanishing.

To clarify, these vacation-related phishing scams are not new. The difference now is that AI makes these emails more convincing, leading to more victims.

What can you do?

Travelers can take several steps to avoid falling prey to these scams:

1. Use Two-Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication: Enable this feature where possible. Receiving a confirmation code on your phone each time you log in can help prevent phishing attacks and credential theft.
2. Avoid Clicking on Email Links: If you receive an email promoting an unbelievably good deal, remember, it probably is too good to be true. Visit the website directly and search for the offer. If you can't find it, you might have dodged a scam.
3. Verify Property Listings: Before booking any property online, ensure that contact information and reviews are readily available. Check if other verified users have stayed at the property; this reduces the likelihood of it being a scam.
4. Use Credit Cards for Online Purchases: Avoid using debit cards linked directly to your bank account. If theft occurs with your debit card, recovering your money can be difficult, if not impossible. Credit cards offer an additional layer of protection.

The most crucial advice is to remain vigilant. Scrutinize every email offer and adhere to cybersecurity best practices. While standard security software can detect some scam emails, it won't catch them all, so it's essential to stay cautious and look for red flags.

Personal scams may ruin a vacation, but business breaches can cost you and your family their livelihood. To keep your network secure, call us at 702-605-9998 or click here to book a FREE Consultation with our cyber security experts, who can help you create a plan that protects you. We are here to help! Enjoy a well-deserved break this summer, and remember to be cybersmart.