Looking to snag last minute travel deals? As you click your way through websites to find the best prices possible, don’t let your guard down. According to Booking.com, there’s been a 900% increase in travel scams over the past 18 months.
The culprit? Robots, (aka Artificial intelligence). “Nowadays, nearly anything can be faked with AI so if it is ‘too’ well written, an offer that’s ‘too’ good to be true, or something that looks ‘too nice’ in pictures, then I would be especially careful,” warns Christoph Cemper, founder of AIPRM, a software development company focused on AI prompt management tools.
As you search for last minute travel deals, there are steps you can take to safeguard the cash you’ve set aside for globetrotting. Experts at AIPRM have rounded up the top AI-powered scams to be on the lookout for as the holiday travel season ramps up:
SCAM #1: FAKE AIRLINE AND HOTEL BOOKING WEBSITES
ICYMI, you no longer need to be a tech whiz to build a website. It’s easier than ever, and scammers are taking advantage of that, drawing in eager travelers with deals that are literally too good to be true.
As you search for last minute travel deals, protect yourself by keeping a close eye on the details. “Watch out for suspicious URLs, small spelling errors or anything that feels off about the website’s design or offers,” warns AIPRM. “Double-check through official channels and read verified reviews before submitting your personal information.”
SCAM #2: AI CHATBOT SCAMS
“AI-powered chatbots can be used by scammers to impersonate customer service representatives, offering huge discounts on flights, hotels, or holiday packages,” warns AIPRM. “These bots may ask for sensitive personal information or prompt users to pay upfront for non-existent trips.”
If you feel like you’re being rushed to pay for a trip, that’s a big red flag. First, check that the website you’re on is legit. If you’ve never heard of it, then chances are good that it may be a scam. Instead of booking your trip there, go through the official customer service numbers or emails for your travel provider of choice, suggests AIPRM.
SCAM #3: PHISHING EMAILS AND TEXTS
According to experts, phishing emails are one of the most common types of scams today. A recent survey showed that one in five people click on AI-generated phishing emails. Of those people, 65% are tricked by scammers into sharing their personal information.
Experts say to avoid being scammed while looking for last minute travel deals, always double-check the sender’s email address. When in doubt, reach out to the airline, hotel, or other travel provider directly to verify the communication. (Just make sure that you get the phone number from the company’s official website rather than calling the number listed in the email!)
SCAM #4: AI-GENERATED REVIEWS
Imagine getting a great deal on a big, beautiful suite at an oceanfront resort. Then, when you show up, it’s a teeny-tiny room…and you can’t get to the ocean without walking through a parking lot. You’ve been duped, and AI-generated reviews could be to blame. Last year alone, Tripadvisor ID’d a record two million reviews on its platform as fake. Thanks to AI, hundreds of positive fake reviews can be generated in minutes with just a few keystrokes.
Avoid being scammed by cross-checking reviews across multiple platforms and scanning social media for feedback from travelers. Keep an eye out for patterns, too. “If a place has an unusually high number of extremely positive reviews posted in a short period of time, it’s likely a red flag that they’ve been generated by AI or planted by scammers,” warns AIPRM.
(P.S. The HerMoney team has noticed that oftentimes the names on fake AI-generated reviews will be a red flag. They are names that sound American, but just aren’t quite right, like “Susan Susie Allison” or “Neil Richmond Kentucky.” It’s safe to assume that those folks don’t exist! )
SCAM #5: FAKE TRAVEL ITINERARIES AND AI-GENERATED IMAGES
Not only are scammers using AI to generate fake reviews, but they’re also using the technology to generate fake itineraries as well as images.
“AI-generated itineraries may appear polished, but they often contain subtle inconsistencies,” says AIPRM. “Check for missing or mismatched details and examine the photos closely — AI-generated images can have imperfections like unnatural lighting or blurry areas.”
THE BOTTOM LINE
Yes, there are last minute travel deals to be had, but as scammers (and technology) become more advanced, we’ll need to keep a special eye on the fraudsters preying on our wanderlust. If you do fall victim to a travel scam, there are steps you should take, beginning with contacting your bank, ASAP. You’ll also want to freeze your credit (if you haven’t done so already), change passwords, keep a close eye on financial statements, and take other precautions.
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