Seasonal warning: Summer travel-booking scams
As summer travel bookings pick up, fake deals on flights, hotels and rentals are circulating on social media and search ads, taking payment for trips that don't exist.
With summer vacation planning in full swing, fake travel deals are appearing in social media ads, search results, and unsolicited emails — offering heavily discounted flights, hotels, or vacation rentals. Some copy real listings and photos; others simply invent a deal too good to pass up. Payment is usually requested directly by bank transfer, gift card, or a payment app rather than through a secure booking platform.
The urgency of limited-time “deals” and the pressure of booking season pushes people to skip normal checks. Once payment is sent, the listing disappears, contact goes silent, and there is no booking to dispute.
The FTC is reminding travelers to book only through recognized platforms or directly with verified providers, and to be wary of deals that require unusual payment methods or pressure you to act immediately.
What to do
- Book through well-known travel platforms or verified providers directly
- Pay by credit card where possible for dispute protection — avoid wire transfers or gift cards
- Search a listing's photos and description to check if they're copied from elsewhere
- Be wary of deals only available through a private message or unfamiliar site
- Verify a rental or hotel by contacting the property directly through an independently found number