Fraud & Cybersecurity Awareness

Scammers are tricking travelers with fake hotel websites and listings that look real. These scams often promise deep discounts or exclusive deals to get you to book a room that doesn’t exist. Victims pay in advance, only to find out later there’s no reservation and no way to get their money back.

How the Scam Works

Fraudsters build websites or send phishing emails that closely mimic trusted booking platforms or hotel sites. The goal is to convince travelers to share credit card details or personal information. After booking, the victim may receive a confirmation email, but when they show up to check in, the hotel has no record of the reservation. In some cases, the site disappears shortly after the transaction is complete.

Example of the Scam

Caleb found a great deal on a hotel through a website that looked like a well-known booking platform. He paid and received a confirmation, but when he arrived at the hotel, there was no reservation under his name. The site he used was fake, and his card had already been charged.

Tips to Protect Yourself From the Hotel Booking Scam

• Book directly through trusted sites. Use the hotel’s official website or a well-known, verified booking platform.
• Check the URL carefully. Look for misspellings and extra characters and confirm the site has a secure connection (“https://”).
• Avoid deals that seem too good to be true. Scammers often use extremely low prices to lure you in.
• Read multiple reviews. Search independent sources to verify the hotel and booking platform are legitimate.
• Use a credit card. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or wire transfers.

If You’ve Been Scammed

• Contact your financial institution(s). If you’ve provided any financial information, contact us and any other financial institutions you work with to report the fraud and potentially stop any unauthorized transactions.
• Report the scam to the FTC. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.FTC.gov. Also, inform your local law enforcement.
• Report the scam to the state attorney general. You can find information at NAAG.org.
• Warn other travelers. Let friends and family know about the scam so they can take steps to protect themselves when booking travel.