AI Travel Scams to Watch Out for This Summer

As you make travel bookings for your upcoming summer vacation, it’s best to stay vigilant because a new wave of AI scams is on the rise. From fake websites to AI-generated reviews, cybercriminals are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to deceive unsuspecting travelers.

With that in mind, here are a few AI-powered travel scams to watch out for when researching or making bookings for your summer holiday. Don’t let thieves ruin your plans!

1 AI-Generated Travel Websites

A 2024 McAfee report noted that one of the most common types of scams facing travelers involves unauthorized transactions due to banking or credit card details entered on a fake website. With AI tools like ChatGPT, creating a fake website has become easier than ever. To take things one step further, cybercriminals are even using AI deep fakes as travel agents to help persuade potential travelers to complete a booking.

If you’re considering booking your stay or flight tickets through a new website, make sure to verify its legitimacy before you enter any sensitive data into it. Look for misspellings in the web address as well as the SSL certificate. A legit website’s URL should start with “HTTPS” (the “s” stands for secure). If it, instead, begins with “HTTP,” the website may just be run by a bad actor. Note that some websites still use HTTP, but any website worth its salt that sells expensive tickets, holidays, and so on will use HTTPS as it is more secure.

It’s also a good idea to review the content on a website. Poor grammar or spelling is a telltale sign that the website isn’t run by a real company. You can also verify the company’s identity, presence, and reviews through social media. For instance, you’ll want to check how many followers the company has, if it posts regularly, and what the engagement is like on its posts. A number of negative reviews and comments on a company’s social media pages are a definite red flag.

2 AI Imagery

Another trick scammers are using to entice unsuspecting travelers is using AI-generated images on their websites or social media posts. These images can depict vacation spots, accommodations, and tour experiences that seem appealing to most but don’t actually exist.

For instance, when searching for accommodation options, you might come across a rental property that seems too good to be true based on its images and the price it’s listed at. Not wanting to pass up on this deal, you go ahead and book the property for the duration of your stay. When you reach the destination, you might find that the property doesn’t exist or that it’s pretty rundown.

To keep this from happening to you, be sure to familiarize yourself with a few ways to identify AI-generated images. Also, it’s best to avoid falling for deals that seem too good to be true. I always check the prices of similar properties in the area. If the price of the property I’m considering booking is not in line with that of other properties in the area, I consider it a red flag and continue my search.

3 Fake AI-Generated Reviews

Before you book a tour or accommodation, it’s best to check the reviews left by previous customers to get a sense of what you’re signing up for. The problem with this, however, is that scammers know you’re going to do this, so they try to get ahead by leaving fake 5-star ratings and positive reviews for fraudulent listings. These fake reviews are usually generated by AI, and given how good AI has gotten, it can get pretty hard to spot inaccuracies or fake text.

For example, here is an AI-generated review for the fake infinity pool hotel in the previous section:

• Title: Paradise Found!
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
• Review: I recently had the pleasure of staying at this breathtaking resort, and I must say it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the serene and luxurious atmosphere. The infinity pool, surrounded by lush palm trees, creates an almost surreal connection with the ocean, making you feel like you’re swimming straight into the horizon. The poolside area is meticulously maintained with lush green grass and comfortable seating. It’s the perfect spot to relax and unwind with a book or enjoy a refreshing cocktail from the nearby bar. The staff were incredibly attentive and made sure I had everything I needed to enjoy my stay. One of my favorite moments was watching the sunset while lounging by the pool. The sky turned into a beautiful canvas of colors, reflecting off the water, creating a truly magical experience. Overall, this resort offers a perfect blend of luxury, tranquility, and natural beauty. It’s a paradise for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I can’t wait to return!

The good news is that there are ways to detect AI-generated reviews. Although I don’t use AI text detectors in everyday life, it’s something I recommend if you’re making a booking worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.

No matter the kind of deal you spot, it’s best to stick to legit travel sites and well-known flight and hotel booking platforms. Although the allure of rock-bottom prices can be tempting, using these websites reduces your chances of falling for a scam. You can even use AI and ChatGPT apps to create instant itineraries that are in line with your travel plans and preferences.