American travelers are paying the price for online scams

With the economy slowing and the cost of living remaining high in the United States, American travelers are looking for bargains this summer. But that search for bargains has become a double-edged sword, as online travel scams are on the rise.

According to the new 2025 Safer Summer Travel Report from software and cybersecurity company McAfee, fraudsters are taking advantage of the general push to save money by luring unsuspecting travelers into well-laid traps. From fake booking sites to misleading images created with artificial intelligence, the methods of deception are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

“Nearly two-thirds of Americans plan to travel this year. “Scammers are taking advantage of this,” says Abhishek Karnik, McAfee’s head of threat research. “Fake sites and phishing emails that mimic genuine bookings are widely circulated, capitalizing on the excitement and sense of urgency.”

One in Five Has Been a Victim

The statistics are sobering: 1 in 5 Americans admit to being a victim of fraud during the travel booking process. 13% of victims lost more than $500, while 5% exceeded $1,000 in losses.

Despite the fact that 65% of travelers say they were informed about potential scams before booking, many fail to recognize the well-established fraudulent schemes. Men appear to be more vulnerable to financial losses (29% vs. 18% of women), while younger age groups are more likely to fall victim. Specifically, 21% of 18–24 year olds have clicked on a fake confirmation link, and 10% of 25–34 year olds have been lured by manipulated images created by AI.

“Younger users are more affected, likely because they rely more on apps, social media, and third-party platforms for their bookings,” Karnik explains.

The most common types of fraud

McAfee and Chase, through their own fraud prevention experts, are sounding the alarm and listing the most common types of travel scams:

Fake vacation rentals: Photos and listings of properties that don’t exist.

Social media scams: Cheap deals that appear on Instagram and Facebook and lead to fake pages.
Travel agency impersonations: Scammers pretend to represent reputable agencies and offer “exclusive deals.”
Fake airline tickets: Tickets are sold without confirmation or promising flights that don’t exist.
Non-existent vacation packages: Usually appear to be overly-cheap deals that disappear after payment.
Phishing and impersonation: Messages from fake companies asking for payment or personal information.

How to protect yourself as a traveler

Experts recommend a combination of caution, good online behavior, and basic security checks:

Verify the authenticity of sites: Double-check the URL, the language of the site, and any signs of spoofing.
Avoid unusual payment methods: Cryptocurrencies and wire transfers offer no protection.
Beware of “too good to be true” deals, especially on social media or in urgent emails.
Don’t change payment methods after the initial agreement: If a payment is requested outside the platform (e.g., Airbnb), it’s likely a scam.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi for financial transactions and be extra vigilant when withdrawing from ATMs.
As Chase’s Darius Kingsley emphasizes:

“Look for reviews and signs of fraud for any unknown platform you use. Being well-informed is your most powerful weapon.”

As summer approaches and bookings peak, digital vigilance is more necessary than ever. Dream trips can easily turn into financial nightmares if travelers aren’t prepared to deal with new, technologically advanced threats.