How to Avoid a Travel Scam This Summer

Stressed young couple sitting on a suitcase and using a smartphone.

Summer is here! If you haven't made your vacation plans yet, you might be looking for a deal. While you look for bargains, scammers are looking for ways to reach you…and your money. Here are some things to know to help you avoid travel scams.

When looking for hotels or flights online, you may come across travel scams. Sometimes scammers use paid advertisements with their phone number next to the name of a reputable business or a link to a website that appears to be owned by an airline or hotel. Make sure you have the correct website or contact information for the company you're looking for by scrolling through the unpaid search results to avoid these scam artists. Better still, if you know the company's website, enter it straight into the browser.

Scammers have roadtrips covered, too, sending texts about fake “unpaid tolls” and demanding immediate payment. If you’re not sure that text is legitimate, reach out to the state’s toll agency using a phone number or website you know is right — not the info from the text.

Here are some other ways to avoid travel scams:

  • Before making a commitment, get all the information about a travel deal. Walk away if the organizer is unable or unwilling to provide you with additional particular information (except from stating that "you'll stay at a 'five-star' resort").
  • Do some research. Look up the names of travel companies, hotels, rentals, and agents with the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” Before you commit, see what other people have to say about them.
  • Pay attention to how they want payment. Only con artists claim that cryptocurrency, gift cards, payment apps, or wire transfers are the only ways to make payments. They like these strategies since it's nearly impossible to get the money back once they've gathered it.

How to Shop for Travel

  • Get recommendations from trusted sources. Talk to family and friends or other trusted sources about good travel agencies, vacation rentals, hotels, and travel packages.
  • Check out comparison websites and apps. But make sure you know whether you’re buying from the app company or the actual airline or resort. It can affect things like whether you can get a refund or travel points, and the price for services like changing or canceling a flight. Also, make sure you know whether you’re buying a ticket or just making a reservation.
  • If you’re buying travel insurance, be sure the agency is licensed. Find out whether an agency is licensed at the website of the US Travel Insurance Association. Make a copy of your insurance card to take with you when you go on the trip.

Report Travel Scams

If you think you may have been targeted by a travel scam, report it to