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Online Travel Bookings Highly Prone to Cybercriminal Scams
With the summer travel season fast approaching and the surge in vacation bookings, cybercriminals are becoming increasingly prevalent, exploiting unsuspecting travellers through online scam attempts.
A recent study by the online protection firm, McAfee, revealed the five most targeted destinations for online booking scams. Abhishek Karnik, the company’s head of threat research, has shed light on these top exploited destinations and ways users can protect themselves from these ploys.
Top 5 Online Booking Scam Vulnerable Places
McAfee’s research shows the following places are most susceptible to fraudulent booking schemes:
- Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
- Sandusky, Ohio.
- Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania.
- Waimea, Hawaii.
- Chicago.
Why These Specific Destinations?
As stated by Karnik, destinations like Fort Myers Beach, Sandusky, and Chicago are popular tourist spots that attract high consumer interest and expenditure. This attracts opportunistic cybercriminals who exploit these places by concocting online scams, consequently causing travelers to inadvertently install malware or compromise their data, identity, or privacy.
Frequent Types of Travel Scams
Whether you’re a frequent traveller or not, you should be aware of these scams:
- AI-powered Scams: With the proliferation of AI tools, it’s become a simple task for fraudsters to create completely bogus travel opportunities, including realistic images of non-existent accommodations and fake reviews.
- Fake Booking Websites: Scammers create deceptive booking sites with attractive offers to obtain your financial information or to receive payments for non-existent reservations. Always make sure to only use reputable websites or directly book with the hotel or airlines for confirmed reservations.
- Impersonation Scams: Certain fraudsters act like hotel workers, tour guides, or travel agents to trick travelers into revealing personal or payment data. Ensure to verify the person’s identity before providing any information.
- Public Wi-Fi Risks: Using unsecured Wi-Fi networks in places like hotels, airports, or cafes can expose you to hackers who can steal your login credentials or credit card information. Always use a VPN or abstain from accessing sensitive accounts on public networks.
- Phishing Emails and Texts: Beware of unsolicited messages from alleged travel agencies, airlines, or hotels asking you to click links or provide personal information. These could be fraudulent and designed to steal your identity.
- Oversharing on Social Media: Disclosing your location or travel plans on social media can attract attention from thieves. Keeping your plans confidential or selectively sharing them and refraining from posting real-time updates can reduce such risks.
According to Karnik, the evolution of artificial intelligence has enabled scammers to rapidly and effectively conduct numerous travel scam attempts, which include convincing phishing attempts and counterfeit travel opportunities.
Effects of Travel Scams
Falling prey to these scams can have serious consequences. McAfee’s Global Safer Summer Travel Survey found that 25% of Americans lost over $1,000 to travel-related frauds. Further, 15% of them ended up making fraudulent payments after sharing their financial details on counterfeit sites, and 13% reached their destination to discover their pre-arranged accommodation didn’t exist.
Avoiding Online Booking Scams
To make sure you experience a safe and secure travel, Karnik recommends following these guidelines:
- Book directly with reputable companies or through trusted platforms.
- Be cautious with deals that seem too good to be true.
- Use reverse image searching to verify the actual images of properties.
- Make payments through a credit card instead of a debit card to benefit from better transaction protection.
- Stay away from using public Wi-Fi without a VPN.
- Be cautious of unsolicited messages asking for personal details.
- Double-check listings across multiple platforms to ascertain legitimate lodgings.
- Install strong antivirus software to protect yourself from clicking on malicious links that install malware, which might gain access to your private information.
Red Flags While Booking Online
When booking online, Karnik advises to watch out for these warning signals:
- Listings with no reviews.
- Requests to communicate or pay outside the booking platform.
- Urgency to make quick decisions.
- Unusual payment methods, such as wire transfers or gift cards.
Final Thoughts
Karnik highlights that scammers are opportunists capitalizing on popular consumer trends and holidays, when people might be more trusting or on the lookout for vacation deals. By staying informed about common scams, recognizing the red flags and maintaining a practice of online safety, travelers can greatly diminish their chances of falling victim to travel-related scams. Remember, prevention is better than cure – a small amount of caution can ensure that your summer vacation is memorable for the right reasons.
Has your trust in online travel platforms been affected by the rise of artificial intelligence creating realistic-looking travel opportunities? Visit Cyberguy.com/Contact and let us know.
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