McAfee, a company that specializes in cybersecurity and cybercrime protection, says that some of the top scams related to booking accommodations and other travel elements occur more frequently in certain locations than others. The organization has compiled a list of some of the most targeted cities that it says are experiencing a high level of online booking scams.
Topping the list of cities are Fort Myers Beach, Florida; Sandusky, Ohio; Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania; Waimea, Hawaii; and Chicago, Illinois, the company said.
Abhishek Karnik, director of threat research and response at McAfee, told Scripps News that a significant portion of these scams include phishing scams, which he said are the most common type of scam the company has seen.
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Rental and ticket scams are also among the top scams that travelers and entertainment seekers fall victim to during travel seasons. Family-friendly locations appear to be common targets for ticket scams.
Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky is often the scene of ticket scams targeting families looking for a good deal on a visit to the park.
Karnik recommends being wary of any vouchers that ask you to visit a website and provide your credit card or debit card information. He recommends always using a credit card with protection, not your debit card, but also being wary of fake websites that are part of phishing scams. These types of scams aim to get your information so the scammer can steal your identity.
Rental scams target people by tricking them into making a reservation under the assumption that the rental will be available – but when you show up, it doesn’t exist.
Identity theft scams trick you into booking something like private transportation or another service, but it’s not what you expected or doesn’t exist.
“You have to be skeptical,” he says. “Always try to book through official channels.”
“Don’t leave the platform,” he advises. “If someone tries to call you” to make a booking outside the platform, Karnik advises “staying away from that.”
