Summer Travel Traps, Phishing, and Fraud

Summer is here, and after months of planning, you’re finally ready to book that dream vacation. But before you confirm those flights, lock in that hotel, or respond to that enticing deal in your inbox—stop and ask: Is it real?

The global travel industry is booming again, with spending projected to top $2 trillion this year. Unfortunately, anywhere there’s money, there will be cybercriminals and scammers trying to steal it. From cutting-edge AI-generated travel destinations that don’t even exist to classic phishing emails posing as Airbnb or Booking.com, the latest vacation scams are smarter, more realistic, and harder to detect than ever before. Whether you’re booking a tropical escape, a European adventure, or a cozy cabin in the woods, we want to help you stay safe while making your summer travel plans.

AI-Generated Travel Scams: When Your Destination Doesn’t Exist

Artificial intelligence continues to make headlines for its ability to generate images, write stories, compose music—and now, unfortunately, trick people into traveling to places that don’t even exist. Scammers are using generative AI tools to build incredibly convincing looking vacation destinations. These scams usually grab the attention of victims through targeted ads on social media or email campaigns offering unbelievable deals on luxury resorts or scenic getaways. When you click the link, the professional-looking travel website wows you with stunning images of resorts, beaches, or mountain towns. They’ll even have video testimonials of customers giving the destination glowing reviews. When you see the price for the itineraries and package options, you’re ready to put down a deposit, and fortunately, their booking portal is ready to allow you to pay today.

These destinations, pictures and video look completely real, but unfortunately, they’re AI generated. Even the people in the customer testimonials are really AI deepfakes. They are so convincing that TechRadar shared a story of a couple who traveled to visit a breathtaking mountaintop cable car called the “Kuak Skyride,” only to discover it didn’t exist. The entire experience had been generated using Veo 3, Google’s new advanced AI video engine.

Fake destinations aren’t the only issue. AI is also being used to flood review platforms with glowing testimonials for real, legitimate places, exaggerating features or services that don’t exist. As a result, even legitimate resorts, hotels, or Airbnb listings can look far more luxurious or exclusive than they really are.

Travel-Themed Email Scams and Phishing Campaigns

While AI-generated travel scams are grabbing headlines, traditional email and web-based phishing attacks are not only alive and well, but they’re escalating at an alarming rate, especially during the busy summer vacation season. Cybercriminals know this is when millions of people are planning trips, hunting for deals, and making bookings, making it the perfect time to strike. According to Check Point Research (CPR), cybercriminal activity tied to the travel and hospitality industry has surged. In a single month this summer:

• Almost 40,000 new vacation-related website domains were registered, a 55% increase over the same period last year

• At least 5% of those domains were flagged as malicious or suspicious

• The average number of cyberattacks targeting hospitality businesses reached almost 2,000 per week, up almost 50% from last year and up 78% from two years ago

These fraudulent domains often mimic trusted travel brands and are used to launch phishing campaigns aimed at stealing payment details, login credentials, or even installing malware. Cybercriminals are deploying increasingly convincing tactics to impersonate major booking platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. These scams target both travelers and property owners by using:

• Fake login pages that look just like the real websites and user interface designs

• Spoofed emails that look like they are really coming from these websites

• Social engineering techniques, such as urgent notifications or personalized guest messages, are being used to manipulate recipients into acting quickly

Recent Scams to Watch Out For

Here are a few travel scams and phishing techniques that researchers have uncovered this year:

Airbnb Phishing Scam: Fake Payment Page

One phishing site was hosted on a website domain designed to resemble Airbnb. The website featured a counterfeit Airbnb payment page, complete with official logos and design elements. Victims were prompted to enter their full credit card details under the guise of processing a legitimate booking. The site is now inactive, but not before potentially compromising sensitive financial data from thousands of unsuspecting travelers.

Booking.com Phishing: Fake Login Page with Malicious Commands

Another sophisticated scam targeted Booking.com property owners using a domain which looked similar to a real Booking.com domain and spoofed the company’s login page. What made this attack especially dangerous was the use of a fake ReCAPTCHA screen asking users to confirm they were human. Once the victim completed the fake CAPTCHA, a pop-up instructed them to press Win + R, then Ctrl + V, and Enter – a sequence that executed a malicious PowerShell script, potentially giving the attacker full access to the victim’s computer.

Booking.com Email Phishing Campaign: Fake Lost Item Messages

In yet another example of travel related phishing, attackers launched a widespread email campaign targeting Booking.com hosts. The emails, which were spoofed to look as if they were coming from booking confirmation addresses, claimed that a guest had contacted the host about a forgotten item from a past stay. Each email contained a phishing link directing recipients to a malicious subdomain that was registered just days earlier. These pages imitated Booking.com’s login interface, further tricking users into surrendering their account credentials. A closer analysis revealed the attackers were likely using generative AI tools to vary the language, tone, and appearance of these emails to make detection even more difficult. Despite varied phrasing, all messages pushed recipients toward the same malicious outcome.

How to Spot a Travel Scam

These scams are designed to catch you off guard when you’re at your most excited and least skeptical. Here’s what you can do to stay safe.

1. Verify the Destination and Provider

• Use Google Maps, TripAdvisor, Reddit, or online travel forums to research the location.
• Look for real user photos (not just glossy marketing shots).
• Check if other travelers have reviewed the destination or business.

2. Be Wary of Images and Videos that are Too Perfect

AI-generated visuals often appear flawless. Warning signs include:

• No people showing natural behavior (e.g., frowns, clutter, movement)
• Overly polished lighting, buildings, or background scenery
• Generic-looking logos or watermarks from known AI video tools

If something seems off, try a reverse image search or scan the video’s metadata for signs of AI use.

3. Scrutinize Emails and Offers

• Hover over links before clicking, and look for odd domains or misspelled URLs.
• Be suspicious of “urgent” emails or too-good-to-be-true offers.
• Verify any hotel or airline correspondence directly through their website or app, not through links in the email.

4. Avoid Giving Out Sensitive Info

In response to an unsolicited email or unfamiliar website, never provide your:

• Social Security number
• Credit card information
• Passport number
• Account credentials

5. Don’t Trust Attachments

Malicious attachments (e.g., PDFs, ZIP files) can infect your device with malware. If you receive an unexpected document—especially one tied to a hotel, flight, or prize—don’t open it. Go directly to the provider’s website to check your status.

 Tools and Tips to Stay Safe While Booking Summer Travel

Here are seven smart ways to boost your defenses while planning your trip:

1. Use security software on your laptop and mobile devices to protect against phishing, malware, and fake websites.
2. Install a scam detection tool like Bitdefender’s Scamio to analyze suspicious messages, links, and QR codes.
3. Book only through trusted platforms like Expedia, Google Travel, or directly with airlines and hotels.
4. Read reviews from multiple sites to detect inconsistencies or fake testimonials.
5. Pay with a credit card instead of a debit card for better fraud protection.
6. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all travel-related accounts (Airbnb, email, Booking.com, etc.).
7. Stay alert during and after your trip. Cybercriminals may follow up after your vacation with fake refund offers or review requests that are really phishing attempts.

The Future of Travel Scams: Why Awareness Matters

We’re living in an age where scammers can create entire vacation experiences that never existed, complete with images, videos, websites, and customer feedback – all powered by AI.

This shift means we must become savvier digital consumers. No longer is a photo or video enough to prove authenticity. Instead, we must rely on:

• Critical thinking
• Cross-verification
• Cybersecurity tools
• Trusted sources

As travel picks up and AI becomes even more sophisticated, cybercriminals will continue evolving their tactics. The best defense is education, awareness, and a healthy dose of skepticism.

Don’t Let Scammers Derail Your Dream Vacation

Summer should be a time for fun, adventure, and making memories—not dealing with fraud, identity theft, or financial loss. By staying informed and taking a few simple precautions, you can protect yourself and your family from today’s most deceptive travel scams. So go ahead and plan that beach trip or mountain hike. Just make sure you double-check before you double-book.

Related Topics You Might Like:

• Why Phishing is getting harder to spot
• How to Avoid Getting Duped by a Deepfake
• Protecting your identity