Travel Scams: Why Urgency Is a Major Red Flag

Summer travel season also brings an increase in scams as fraudsters target travelers who may be distracted, rushed, or anxious about changing plans.

One of the biggest red flags is urgency. Scammers often pressure victims to act immediately, whether it’s to avoid losing a reservation, secure a refund, or prevent costly fees. Your best defense is to slow down, trust your instincts, and verify the source yourself. As AI-driven scams grow more sophisticated, it’s important not to automatically trust what you see — or hear. These same tactics appear in many of today's most common scams.

“AI hasn't removed the fundamentals of fraud, but it has amplified them. The biggest risk isn't just better fake messages — it's people trusting what looks real without verifying,” explained Barb Nesler, BSA & Fraud Officer at First Mid Bank & Trust. 

 

 

Travel scams can happen before, during, or even after your trip. From fake vacation rentals to fraudulent airline alerts and refund schemes, scammers often impersonate trusted travel brands to steal money or personal information.

 

 

Scammers create fake listings on platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, or Facebook Marketplace, often advertising luxury properties at unusually low prices to lure travelers into sending deposits for rentals that don’t exist.

 

• Prices well below market value — are they too good to be true?
• Listings with few, overly polished pictures — was it just created or have little history?
• Requests to pay outside the booking platform — are they asking for hard-to-trace payments?

Before paying, verify listings across multiple sources. Use reverse image search for property photos, cross-check phone numbers and addresses, and review complaints on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, or ConsumerAffairs.

 

 

Scammers also impersonate airlines and travel companies through fake emails, texts, apps, or notifications claiming there’s an urgent problem with your trip. Their goal is to create panic around cancellations, schedule changes, baggage fees, or refunds, then direct victims to fake links or customer service numbers.

 

• “Urgent rebooking required to avoid large fees”
• Messages claiming your flight was canceled or suspended
• Requests for sensitive information or unusual payment methods

Scammers also pay for ads that place fake customer service numbers at the top of search results, making them appear legitimate.

 

 

Another growing scam targets travelers dealing with cancellations or delays. Fraudsters pose as airlines, hotels, or booking agencies and promise refunds while attempting to steal personal or banking information.

 

• You’re contacted first about a refund you never requested
• Requests for banking or payment information to process the refund
• Fees required to release or process your refund

A good rule to remember: you should never have to pay money to get money back.

Fraudsters are increasingly monitoring social media for posts about delayed flights, cancellations, or travel frustrations to pose as customer support representatives.

 

“Fraudsters now scrape social media, data leaks, and public records, then use AI to create highly personalized scam messages,” said Nesler.

 

Avoid sharing travel details in real time when possible and review your privacy settings before posting online.

 

 

Not all travel scams involve payment requests. Some are designed to steal passwords, banking credentials, or personal information while travelers are distracted and on the move.

 

Scammers may create fake public Wi-Fi networks at airports, hotels, or coffee shops, or develop fake travel apps that closely mimic legitimate airline and booking platforms.

 

• Public Wi-Fi networks with names similar to official airport or hotel networks 
• Apps downloaded from links instead of official app stores 
• Login pages requesting excessive personal information 

Whenever possible, use a secure personal hotspot or VPN and avoid accessing banking information on public networks. For added security and convenience while traveling, consider using a digital wallet and learn how to keep it secure.

 

 

According to AARP*, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 64,000 reports tied to travel, vacation, and timeshare fraud in 2025. 

 

• Slow down before sending money or personal information 
• Verify travel issues independently through official websites or apps 
• Monitor bank and credit card activity while traveling 
• Trust your instincts if something feels off 

“Whether it's summer or year end, the strongest defense is verifying identity beyond surface-level appearances and paying attention to behavior — especially urgent requests for money or personal information,” noted Nesler.

First Mid is here to help answer questions, provide fraud education resources, and help customers stay informed about evolving scam tactics.