Online Travel Agency Sees Up to 900 Percent Spike in Travel Scams Due to AI

• Booking.com says they’ve seen a 500 to 900 percent increase in travel scams in the last 18 months, in large part due to artificial intelligence (AI). Phishing scams have become harder to spot, too, with the rapid evolution of AI tools.
• Identity criminals are using phishing attacks to trick people into giving out their financial details on fake internet booking websites. The scammers can then commit an array of identity crimes in the victim’s name.
• To avoid travel scams, only book trips through legitimate websites and companies and ignore any unexpected calls or messages. Also, watch for any red flags like grammatical errors and too-good-to-be-true offers.
• If you have additional questions about travel scams or believe you were the victim of an identity crime, contact the ITRC toll-free by text or phone (888.400.5530) or live chat on the company website idtheftcenter.org.

Travel scams are nothing new. They have been around for a long time. However, Booking.com reports that they’ve seen a 500 to 900 percent increase in travel scams in the last 18 months, in large part due to artificial intelligence (AI). Phishing scams have become harder to spot with the introduction and evolution of AI tools. It makes prevention that much more important.

Who Are the Targets?

Anyone; Travelers

What is the Scam?

In the travel scam, identity criminals are using phishing emails and messages to trick people into giving over their personal information. Attackers use AI to launch attacks that mimic emails that are more convincing than anything that has been done in the past. Many phishing attacks try to trick people into handing over data through fake internet booking links. After someone gives out their information and money, scammers vanish or try to steal more data and money.

What they Want

The identity thieves hope to trick you into handing over your financial details so they can commit an array of identity crimes in your name and with that information. Oftentimes, they try to get you to input your credit card information into bogus websites.

How to Avoid Travel Scams

• Only book travel plans through legitimate websites and companies and ignore unexpected messages. Be wary of anyone who calls, emails or texts you claiming to be from a certain company. Instead, visit the website of the company you want to book through directly.
• Pause before you act. Scammers want you to act before you think. If anyone claiming to be a company pressures you to try and make an immediate decision, it is likely a scam.
• Look for red flags. If an offer appears to be too good to be true, it probably is. If there are typos and grammatical errors in the message, it’s likely a scam.

Contact the ITRC

If you have additional questions about travel scams or believe you were the victim of an identity crime, contact us. You can speak with an expert advisor toll-free by text or phone (888.400.5530) or live chat on the company website. Just visit www.idtheftcenter.org to get started.