If you’ve booked a festive getaway, it’s worth being cautious after a dramatic 900% increase in travel scams over the past 18 months – with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a key role
Brits have been hit with a stark warning ahead of Christmas, as travel scams ramp up.
If you’re planning to jet off on a festive getaway, it’s worth brushing up on potential problems that could arise as a result of a dramatic 900% increase in travel scams over the past 18 months, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a key role.
Booking.com recently highlighted that victims of holiday scams are losing £765 on average – up 4% from the previous year. The experts at AIPRM have compiled a list of the top AI-driven threats travellers should watch out for this holiday season.
Fake airline and hotel booking websites
Thanks to AI, scammers no longer need to be tech experts to mimic legitimate travel booking platforms. These sites lure travellers in using phrases like “limited-time sale” or “only one left” to push consumers into making quick decisions.
Once you input your details, scammers can steal your personal and financial information, leaving you with a ticket to nowhere and out of pocket.
Watch out for suspicious URLs, small spelling errors or anything that feels off about the website’s design or offers.
Double-check through official channels and read verified reviews before submitting your personal information. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
AI chatbots offering fake travel deals
AI-powered chatbots can be used by scammers to impersonate customer service representatives, offering huge discounts on flights, hotels, or holiday packages. These bots may ask for sensitive personal information or prompt users to pay upfront for non-existent trips.
Verify any deals or offers you find online through official travel websites and avoid providing payment information through unfamiliar channels. Double-check all details and confirm through official customer service numbers or emails before finalising any travel booking.
Phishing emails and text messages
One in five people click on AI-generated phishing emails, with 65% tricked into revealing personal information through input fields on websites linked in those emails.
Scammers are using AI to craft highly convincing phishing content disguised as legitimate companies. Never click on suspicious links, or provide sensitive information through unsolicited emails or texts. Always check the sender’s email address, and be cautious of any communication that asks for personal details. If in doubt, contact the airline, hotel, or travel agency directly.
AI-generated holiday reviews
Fake AI-generated airline reviews have skyrocketed by a staggering 189% – Tripadvisor alone flagged a record 2 million reviews as fake on its platform last year. With the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, scammers can now generate hundreds of seemingly genuine, glowing reviews in minutes.
To avoid being duped, cross-check reviews across multiple sources and don’t rely solely on reviews from travel booking websites. Authentic reviews tend to be more balanced, including both positive and constructive feedback.
Fake travel itineraries and AI-generated images
Scammers are taking advantage of AI technology to create professional-looking itineraries. They often feature attractive holiday packages promising an unforgettable vacation at an unbeatable price, with AI-generated images used to promote false activities.
Once you send a deposit or full payment, you might find that your dream holiday doesn’t actually exist. Check for missing or mismatched details and examine the photos closely – AI-generated images can have imperfections like unnatural lighting or blurry areas.
Christoph C Cemper, founder of AIPRM, commented: “Nowadays, nearly anything can be faked with AI… The most common form of AI scam is a phishing ‘offer’, that lures the user into providing their personal or payment details too soon/too early based on vague promises that seem too good to resist. Such impulse actions are used to harvest the data as quickly as possible, without much to do once the data is revealed.”
He added: “If you think you have fallen victim to a scam, as painful as it is, any kind of revealed information needs to be rendered useless… locking down your credit card is the first and most simple thing to do. Contacting your bank as soon as possible is essential.
“While reporting the incident to the police or a cyber-crime unit is recommended, it’s worth noting these reports often result in education for the victim rather than immediate resolution.”
People have shared their experiences of travel scams on social media. On X, one person shared: “A shocking video shared by an online driver shows a passenger’s plight after being scammed by a travel agent.
“According to the driver, the victim traveled from Kumasi to the airport, only to discover they had been duped, with no ticket or visa, despite paying a significant sum.”
