Travel Scams

Nowadays, traveling begins on the Internet. More than 140 million Americans research travel online, and 83 percent of travelers use websites to make bookings, according to an industry analysis by the advertising agency MDG. But if you're looking for savings on accommodation and flights, keep a watchful eye out for fraudulent offers and outright scams that could cost you a bundle.

Be especially careful when using third-party hotel booking sites. According to a survey conducted for the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) in 2019, nearly a quarter of consumers say they have been deceived by travel sellers over the phone or online, with transactions worth $5.7 billion in 2018 alone.

Unscrupulous travel scam resellers attract consumers through search engine ads and send them via links or posted phone numbers to booking websites or call centers that appear to be linked to a hotel. The duplicate website will contain detailed descriptions of rooms and amenities; it could even include the hotel's name in its URL.