To avoid falling prey to these scams, travelers are advised to verify the legitimacy of websites and platforms, avoid clicking suspicious links, and double-check flight details using official booking platforms. Red flags include a false sense of urgency and deals that seem too good to be true. If scammed, consumers should cancel any shared credit or debit cards immediately, inform their bank, and report the incident to the police.
Key takeaways:
- Artificial intelligence is being used by scammers to create sophisticated travel scams, including fake booking websites, chatbots offering non-existent deals, and phishing emails.
- Scams have spiked in recent years, with AI-related scams stealing over $265,000 from victims in 2023.
- Travelers can protect themselves by verifying details, avoiding deals that seem too good to be true, and not clicking on suspicious links in emails.
- If scammed, consumers should immediately cancel any shared credit or debit cards, inform their bank, and report the incident to the police.