SCAM AWARENESSTravel booking scams
Travel booking scams use fake websites, phony customer service numbers, and too-good-to-be-true deals to steal money from travelers. You think you have booked a flight, hotel, or vacation package, but the reservation is fake or never made. Many people only find out at the airport or front desk.
How this scam works
Scammers build websites that look like real booking sites, or buy search ads that appear above real results. Others post fake customer service numbers online. When you call to change a flight, someone answers, asks for your card number, and charges you for a change that never happens.
Some offer free or deeply discounted vacations by phone or mail, then require taxes or fees before you can travel. Others ask you to pay by wire or payment app to get the low price. You may even get a confirmation email or itinerary that looks completely real. When you check with the airline or hotel, there is no reservation under your name.
What it can look like
EXAMPLE · NOT A REAL MESSAGE"Congratulations! You have won a 5-night all-inclusive resort vacation for two. Just pay $199 in port taxes and fees today to lock in your dates. This offer expires tonight. Reply YES or call [number] to claim."
Warning signs
- Prices are far lower than any other site for the same trip.
- You are asked to pay by wire transfer, gift card, crypto, or payment app.
- A free vacation requires you to pay fees or taxes first.
- The website address is slightly different from the real company's.
- Customer service found through a search ad asks for your card number.
- You get no confirmation number that works with the airline or hotel.
How to protect yourself
- Book directly with the airline or hotel, or with a well-known site you type in yourself.
- Find customer service numbers on your confirmation email or the company's official website.
- Pay with a credit card, which may offer protection if the booking is not real.
- After booking, call the airline or hotel to confirm your reservation exists.
- Check the web address carefully before entering payment details.
- Turn down prize vacations that require you to pay first.
If you already responded
- Call your card company using the number on your card to report the charge and ask about a dispute.
- Contact the real airline or hotel to check whether any booking exists.
- If you gave your card number to a fake agent, ask your bank for a new card.
- If you shared passport or ID details, visit IdentityTheft.gov for next steps.
- Report the scam to the FTC and IC3, and save all emails and receipts.
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Where to report it
Common questions
How can I tell if a travel booking site is real?
Type the address of a company you already know rather than clicking ads or links. Check that the web address is spelled correctly. Look for clear contact details and a refund policy. After booking, contact the airline or hotel directly with your confirmation number to make sure the reservation is in their system.
Is a free vacation offer ever real?
If you must pay taxes, fees, or a deposit to claim a prize vacation, treat it as a scam. Legitimate prizes do not require you to pay to receive them. Even offers that turn out to be real often come with high-pressure sales pitches or hidden costs. Read everything carefully before agreeing.
What should I do if I called a fake airline number?
If you gave a card number, call your card company right away using the number on your card. Then contact the real airline through its official website or app to check your booking. Change any passwords you shared, and watch your statements for charges you did not make.