How-to guide
Travel and booking scams
A dream trip at an unbeatable price is tempting — and travel scammers know it. Fake listings, cloned booking sites, and bogus "support" lines target travelers at every step.
Common travel scams
- Vacation rentals listed below market that vanish after you pay off-platform.
- Fake flight/hotel deal sites that take payment and issue nothing.
- A call from fake "booking support" about a "problem" with your reservation.
- Third-party "ticket" sites that aren't the airline.
How to book safely
Book and pay through official sites and keep payment on-platform. Verify a rental owner and reverse-image-search photos. Reach support only via the number on the official site. Run a deal link through Scam Doctor before paying.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a travel deal is a scam?
Verify you're on the official site, keep payment on-platform, be wary of prices well below market, and run the link through Scam Doctor before paying.
Someone called about a problem with my booking — real?
Hang up and call the airline or platform back on its official number. "Booking support" calls that ask for payment or card details are a common scam.