If you’re planning on taking a vacation soon, you might be interested in knowing about some of the scams that target travelers. Many travelers are excited about taking a break from their normal routines and exploring new destinations on vacation.
But, there’s also the flip side to this that most people aren’t aware of; which is that travelers are also prime targets for scammers who prey on people’s excitement, naivety, and lack of local knowledge to take advantage of them. Be aware, be alert, and stay safe while traveling!
Here are some tips on how to avoid scams while traveling:
Know what to watch out for
There are two types of scams when traveling: the ones in which a stranger approaches you to take advantage of your naiveté, and the ones that are more likely to be encountered by the local population, such as ticket scams and scams related to accommodation.
To avoid being taken advantage of by a stranger, you should know the common red flags that indicate that someone might be trying to scam you. Some of the most common scams are gifts, romance scams, and exercise scams.
Don’t rely on email confirmations
When you’re booking flights, hotel reservations, tours, or other activities online, always double-check the details and confirm the booking using a written email. Don’t rely on the confirmation email being correct, as sometimes hackers can change the details of the booking and make it look like the email is coming from a legitimate source.
For example, if you’re booking a tour online and the details look legitimate, but the name of the tour company does not appear anywhere on the email or booking page, that should be a red flag that the email is not legitimate.
Verify the tour company or agent
Before paying, establish who is providing the activity, the exact itinerary and the cancellation terms. Research the company and ask for the full offer in writing. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission recommends checking travel companies and confirming property details independently before committing to a booking.
An approach in person does not establish whether an offer is genuine. Pause and verify the seller and the terms before handing over money.
Check the terms of free activities and tours
For an activity described as free, establish what is included, whether any charge is mandatory and who is providing it. The FTC warns that some free-vacation offers conceal compulsory fees. Research the provider and read the full terms before paying.
Pressure to decide immediately or demands for payment only by wire transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency are warning signs identified in the FTC guidance. Check the specific offer instead of assuming that every free tour is fraudulent.
Protect your passport and verify identity requests
Keep your passport secure, but do not assume that a request from a hotel is a scam. Identity and guest-registration requirements vary by destination. For example, Italy’s police guidance says accommodation providers must identify guests, and the UK government’s Italy travel advice tells visitors to wait while staff register their passport details.
Check current official advice for your destination and verify who is requesting your document. If in doubt, contact the property’s reception using independently verified contact details rather than an unsolicited message. Ask when your passport will be returned; for Italy, the UK guidance specifically advises against leaving it for later collection.
Correction, 28 October 2026: This section previously advised readers never to show a passport to hotel staff. That blanket instruction has been removed: legitimate identity checks depend on local requirements, while travellers should verify requests and protect their documents.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you go
Travel insurance is essential for travelers. While you might think you can handle some of the risks of traveling without it, the reality is that you can’t predict every possible scenario that could occur. For example, if you get sick or your bag gets stolen while you’re traveling, you’ll be glad that you have travel insurance.
The type of travel insurance you get will depend on the kind of trip you’re taking—whether it’s a trip that involves expensive emergencies, such as medical bills and lost luggage, or a trip that’s more recreational.
What to do if you suspect a travel scam
If you suspect that you have already paid a scammer, contact the bank, card issuer, payment app or transfer service used for the transaction as soon as possible. Explain what happened and ask whether the payment can be stopped, reversed or refunded. Recovery is not guaranteed; the options depend on how the payment was made and the provider’s process.
Use the provider’s official app, the number on your card or contact details you obtain independently. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s steps for people who have been scammed explain different responses for card, bank transfer, payment app and other payment methods.
If you shared an account password and can still access the account, change it and enable two-factor authentication. Change reused passwords on other affected accounts too. If access is lost, follow the service’s account recovery process. In the United States, scams can also be reported through the FTC’s reporting site; elsewhere, use the relevant local consumer protection or fraud-reporting service.
Update, 30 October 2026: The activity-booking guidance has been revised against FTC advice, and payment and account-recovery steps have been added. The passport correction dated 28 October remains in place.
Conclusion
Traveling can be an exciting experience, but it can also be a dangerous one if you aren’t careful. Whether you travel by yourself or with a group, there are some things you can do to stay safe while you’re traveling. While it’s important to be aware of scams that travelers are likely to encounter.
It’s also important to remember that there are also scams that are likely to be encountered by locals. Just remember that even if a situation seems too good to be true, it probably is. And, if something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t.
