With the summer vacation season here, last week, state Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a Consumer Alert warning Floridians about online travel scams.
According to a recent report, annual online travel bookings on travel apps in 2022 surpassed the previous peak set in 2019, with $798 billion booking volume. Scammers are devising new, sophisticated methods to defraud unsuspecting travelers out of thousands of dollars and potentially leaving vacationers feeling stranded and helpless. To help protect Floridians, Moody listed some of the most common online travel scams and offering tips to avoid falling victim.
“Summer is a popular time to take vacations with family and friends, but scammers are also looking to take advantage of travelers. That’s why I’m offering tips to Floridians about avoiding travel traps this summer. By taking simple precautions, Floridians can safely make arrangements and have a great vacation,” Moody said.
Common online travel scams that Floridians should be cautious of include:
Fake Travel Websites: Scammers create authentic-looking websites that mimic legitimate ones. These websites offer attractive deals and discounts, only to disappear after payment is made, leaving travelers without a confirmed reservation;
Phishing Emails and Spoofing Calls: Fraudsters send deceptive emails or make phone calls pretending to be from well-known travel companies. These communications often request personal information or payment details under the guise of confirming reservations or offering exclusive deals;
Vacation Rental Scams: Advertisements of fake vacation rentals on popular listing websites—often enticing travelers with large discounts. Once the payment is made, victims arrive at the location only to discover it does not exist or is already occupied; and
International Travel Document Scams: Bad actors advertise online to help vacation planners obtain international travel visas, passports, driving permits and other official documents. These sites may charge high fees and send fake documentation that could put a traveler in legal trouble.
To protect against these scams, Moody offered the following tips:
Research a website or booking service thoroughly and verify the company’s legitimacy before making any reservations;
Use secure websites that have a padlock next to the URL to book travel;
Consider using a credit card as these cards offer extra protection; and
Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
