The summer travel season is known as the busiest time of year for airline and accommodation providers, making it a desirable time for scammers to target unsuspecting customers. As travelers look for great deals on flights and accommodations, it’s important to be aware of the risks of being taken advantage of. Scammers often use fake travel websites or phony emails to entice travelers into sharing personal information or providing advance payment for services that don’t exist. These scams stand to make criminals a lot of money, especially during the busy summer travel season. The first step to avoiding scams is to be extra vigilant when researching potential accommodations or flights. Travelers should never provide personal information or make a payment until they are certain that the website, recipient, and transaction is legitimate. Make sure that any website being used is trusted and secure. Another step travelers can take is to avoid booking tickets or accommodations through an online auction site. Although they may offer discounts that seem too good to be true, it is very likely that they are fraudulent. Never provide personal information or make an advance payment through an auction site. If there is an especially good deal on a flight or accommodation, it is important for travelers to make sure that the deal appears on the main site of the airline or hotel, and not some third-party site.
Travelers should contact customer service to double-check the offer and never provide credit card information without being certain that the deal is legitimate. An additional step travelers can take to protect themselves is to only book with airlines and accommodation providers that have a good reputation. Read reviews and take the time to research each provider to make sure they are trustworthy. When researching and booking flights and accommodations online, always pay close attention to the details. Never accept an offer that requires payment up front, and make sure to thoroughly read all the terms and conditions prior to payment. Ask questions and be suspicious of any deals that seem too good to be true. Scammers often target travelers during the summertime due to the high demand and increased prices. To protect yourself against scammers, always research potential providers and make sure they are legitimate before providing any personal information or payment information. Never trust an offer that is too good to be true and, most importantly, trust your instincts. If something seems too good to be true, chances are it is. Be aware of scammers this summer travel season and follow the tips outlined here to protect yourself.