The holiday season often brings extra stress. Unfortunately, it also brings a spike in scams. Fraudsters know that airports are packed, deals are popping up, and travelers are distracted. Scammers exploit this “perfect storm” of travel stress and deal-hunting. At a time when many consumers are working with tighter wallets and increased anxiety, it’s imperative to safeguard against a false sense of digital confidence.
In fact, one recent study by the Mastercard Economic Institute finds that credit card fraud reports jump by 28% during the winter travel season, while a survey by cybersecurity leader Trend Micro Incorporated reports one-third (33%) of respondents believe they have seen an online advertisement, email, text message, social media post, or website related to holiday gifts or travel this season that was fraudulent. Travel experts warn that when deals sound too good to be true, they often are. Scammers impersonate airlines, hotels, rental agencies, and familiar brands to trick busy travelers. Below we’ll show you how to spot red flags to protect yourself from booking to boarding so you can focus on enjoying the holidays, not fighting fraud.
Watch Out for Fake Bookings and Phishing Emails
One of the most common scams involves fake booking websites and phishing messages. Scammers create convincing airline or hotel sites and send emails or texts that look real. For example, you might get a message stating, “Your flight is canceled” or “Your hotel booking needs immediate confirmation.” These messages often include genuine details (like your name or flight number) and an urgent link. In reality, that link goes to a phony site designed to steal your credit card or login data.
How to stay safe: Only book travel through official channels you know and trust. If you get an email about a booking change, don’t click any link. Instead, go directly to the airline’s or hotel’s official app or website and sign in there to check your reservation. Likewise, if you receive an urgent travel notice by text or email, call the airline or hotel number listed in your original confirmation— not any number given in the suspicious message. Real airlines and hotels will never ask you to pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or money transfers. Legitimate travel vendors will provide secure credit-card or invoice payment options. If someone pressures you to buy a gift card or send money electronically for a travel service, that’s an immediate red flag.
Authentic operators also won’t change contact information mid-trip. If something seems off, call or log in on your own: it’s the fastest way to know if a message is a scam.
According to a 2025 McAfee study, 1 in 5 Americans fell victim to a travel scam while booking a trip. Many of these victims clicked fake “Confirm” or “Pay now” links on malicious sites. Guard against this by keeping an eye out for small mistakes. Look for misspelled sender addresses, odd URLs, or links that don’t match the company’s official website. When in doubt, a quick web search of the company’s real site (or a direct call to the hotel/airline) will tell you if the offer is legitimate.
Protect Your Payment Methods
Scammers are pros at grabbing card information, especially in busy transit hubs. Card skimming is a big risk: crooks secretly add a thin device to ATMs, gas pumps, or even airline kiosks to swipe your card details. Before you insert your card anywhere, inspect the slot. If the card reader looks loose, the glue seems fresh, or the keypad feels odd, don’t use it. Use machines inside official terminals if possible. And consider using contactless pay or digital wallets (Apple Pay/Google Pay)—as these can’t be skimmed.
Whenever you spend, try to use credit cards rather than debit cards. Credit cards usually have stronger fraud protections, and it’s easier to dispute a charge if something goes wrong. Monitor your bank and card statements closely during travel. Unusual charges can be caught early this way.
Secure Your Connections and Devices
Free airport and hotel Wi-Fi sounds convenient, but it’s a common way for crooks to steal information. Public networks are often unsecured, letting anyone snoop on data you send. Avoid logging into sensitive accounts (banking, company email, travel portals) over public Wi-Fi. If you must connect, use a reputable VPN to encrypt your traffic. Also verify Wi-Fi names: fraudsters sometimes set up fake networks named “Airport_WiFi_Free” or “Hotel_Guest.” Confirm the correct network name with staff before joining.
Lock your devices with passwords or PINs and enable Bluetooth and file sharing only when needed. Carry a portable charger so you won’t have to use “public” charging stations (some can install malware on your phone). And make sure your apps and antivirus software are up to date—security patches help block known threats.
Avoid Other Common Travel Scams
Here are a few more scams to watch for during the busy travel season:
• Vacation Rental Scams: Be extra cautious with rental home sites. Fake listings pop up on Airbnb, Vrbo, or social media with extremely low rates. Do a reverse image search to uncover these phony listings. Scammers often use real property photos or AI-generated visuals. Scammers often ask you to pay off platform (e.g. via wire or app), claiming they’ll “save you service fees.” Always pay through the official booking site, which offers some protection. Read reviews and check the host’s history on the platform.If a host refuses to discuss or demands quick payment, walk away.
• Baggage and Travel Insurance Scams: You might see pop-ups or emails offering special insurance deals for your trip. While travel insurance is generally regarded as a sound idea, only purchase it from well-known carriers or through your travel agency. Scammers will offer “too-good-to-be-true” insurance plans and then vanish. Likewise, be wary of strangers at the airport offering to tag and ship your luggage cheaply. That’s a common ruse to steal your bag or its contents. Use official airline baggage services and keep valuable items in your carry-on. Have you heard why it’s important to discard your paper luggage tags and stickers at home rather than the airport or the hotel? Incredibly, scammers have been known to dig through trash looking for discarded luggage tags. Their goal is to create claims of lost luggage items that aren’t missing. Don’t make it easier for the criminal element to impersonate you and attempt fraudulent reimbursement.
• Taxi, Luggage, and Car Rental Rip-offs: During holidays, “helpful” strangers may offer assistance, but could be leading you into a scam. Always use licensed taxis or rideshare apps, and double-check that the driver or car matches the app. Some airports have unmarked drivers who demand far higher fares. Similarly, when renting a car, book through trusted firms (preferably via your company’s travel program) and inspect the vehicle for damage before driving off.
• Impersonation Traps: Scammers may pose as hotel staff or tour guides. Double-check identities before sharing information or valuables.
• Social Media & Fake Deals: Watch your news feed for “amazing” last-minute flight or hotel sales. Scammers use stolen brand images in Facebook or Instagram ads to lure you into phishing sites. If an ad or direct message looks official (even with a logo!), verify it by going to the company’s real website or app. Don’t click links from unknown social media accounts. AARP research shows nearly 40% of people who bought through social media ads experienced fraud.
• Malicious QR Codes: Fake QR codes can lead to scam websites. Use security software that flags suspicious links before you land on them.
Final Tips: Stay Vigilant and Protected
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication: For your email, banking, and travel apps, use 2FA. This extra step (often a text code) can block scammers who have your password.
• Inform Your Bank: Before traveling, tell your bank and credit card issuers about your trip dates and destinations. That way your legitimate charges won’t be flagged as fraud.
• Keep Copies of Documents: Have digital and paper copies of your passport, driver’s license, itineraries and emergency contacts. Leave an extra copy with someone at home. If your phone is lost or stolen, this backup info can help you recover.
• Be Cautious with Personal Data: Don’t post your travel plans publicly on social media. Over-sharers can accidentally help scammers know you’re away and target your home or your accounts. Also be careful if someone you just met asks for personal details – even seemingly harmless info (mother’s maiden name, pet’s name, etc.) can be used by scammers for identity theft.
• Question Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers: The golden rule for scam avoidance is suspicion. Slow down if anything seems urgent or amazing. Do extra research before booking or paying. If a rental price is far below market, or someone pressures “pay now or miss out,” take a breath and verify. Scammers count on holiday stress to make you act without thinking.
• Use Your Travel Team: Remember that ADTRAV prioritizes duty of care and we’re here to help! We verify the details to protect travelers’ safety and wallets.
Holiday scams are becoming more convincing, automated, and personalized. Travel should be about family, friends, and festivities—not about worrying about being ripped off. By staying alert and following precautions, you’ll help keep your trip safe and your mind at ease. Enjoy the season and happy (and secure) travels!