Planning a Summer Getaway? Watch Out for This Rising Travel Scam Before You Click Anything
As summer approaches, cybercriminals are taking advantage of travel season to launch highly convincing fake booking email scams. These phishing attacks mimic real reservation confirmations from major travel brands like Delta, Marriott, Expedia, and more — all with one goal: to steal your personal and financial information, hijack your accounts, or infect your devices with malware.
Even tech-savvy travelers are getting fooled. If you or your team is planning personal or business travel, here’s what you need to know.
How the Fake Travel Email Scam Works
1. A Fake Booking Confirmation Appears in Your Inbox
Scammers craft professional-looking emails using official logos, branding, and language to look like they're from trusted companies.
Common subject lines include:
- “Your Trip to Miami Has Been Confirmed! Click Here for Details”
- “Your Flight Itinerary Has Changed – Click for Updates”
- “Action Required: Confirm Your Hotel Stay”
- “Final Step: Complete Your Rental Car Reservation”
These subject lines create a false sense of urgency, prompting quick action before you can second-guess their legitimacy.
2. You Click the Link and Land on a Fake Website
The email typically contains a “click here” button asking you to confirm your reservation, update payment details, or download an itinerary.
But the link takes you to a spoofed website—a fake site designed to steal your login credentials and sensitive information.
3. Hackers Steal Your Info, Money, or Both
Once you've entered your information:
- Your travel or financial accounts may be compromised.
- Your credit card could be charged fraudulently.
- Your device could be infected with malware, putting all your personal or business data at risk.
Why Travel-Related Phishing Scams Are So Effective
- They Look Real – Phishing emails copy the branding and tone of real companies with stunning accuracy.
- They Create Urgency – Sudden travel changes or cancellations trigger a knee-jerk response to click.
- People Are Distracted – Travelers are often multitasking, checking email on the go, or excited about their trip, making them more vulnerable.
- It’s a Business Threat Too – These scams don’t just target individuals; they put entire companies at risk.
Why Businesses Are Especially at Risk During Travel Season
If your company has an office manager, executive assistant, or travel coordinator handling reservations, they’re prime targets. With a single phishing click, a scammer could:
- Steal corporate credit card information
- Gain access to business travel portals
- Infect your company network with malware
- Disrupt operations and cause reputational damage
How to Protect Yourself and Your Business from Travel Scams
✅ 1. Always Verify Before Clicking
Never click links in suspicious or unexpected emails. Instead, go directly to the travel provider’s website and log in there.
✅ 2. Double-Check the Sender’s Email Address
Watch out for subtle misspellings, such as “@deltacom.com” instead of the legitimate “@delta.com”.
✅ 3. Train Your Team on Phishing Awareness
Make sure employees—especially those handling travel bookings—know how to spot travel phishing scams.
✅ 4. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Adding MFA makes it harder for hackers to access your accounts even if your login info is stolen.
✅ 5. Strengthen Email Security
Invest in email security software that scans and blocks malicious links, attachments, and suspicious senders.
Don’t Let a Fake Travel Email Derail Your Business
Cybercriminals are smart—and summer is peak season for scams. If you or your staff handle business travel, you’re a high-value target.
The good news? You don’t have to fight this alone.
🛡️ Schedule a FREE Cybersecurity Assessment
At BounceBack Solutions, we specialize in protecting small businesses from cyber threats like phishing attacks, ransomware, and travel scams.
Our FREE assessment will:
- Identify vulnerabilities in your current systems
- Strengthen your cybersecurity defenses
- Help protect your team and sensitive data from attacks
👉 Click here to schedule your FREE Cybersecurity Assessment today
