May 12, 2025
Planning a vacation this year? Ensure your confirmation email is legitimate BEFORE you click anything!
Summer is approaching, and cybercriminals are taking advantage of the travel season by sending fraudulent booking confirmations that closely resemble emails from airlines, hotels, and travel agencies. These scams aim to steal personal and financial information, hijack online accounts, and potentially infect devices with malware.
Even tech-savvy travelers are falling victim to these schemes.
Here's How The Scam Works
A Fake Booking Confirmation Arrives In Your Inbox
The email may appear to be from reputable travel companies like Expedia, Delta, or Marriott.
Hackers often incorporate official logos, proper formatting, and even "customer support" numbers.
Subject lines create a sense of urgency:
- "Your Trip To Miami Has Been Confirmed! Click Here For Details"
- "Your Flight Itinerary Has Changed - Click Here For Updates"
- "Action Required: Confirm Your Hotel Stay"
- "Final Step: Complete Your Rental Car Reservation"
You Click The Link And Are Redirected To A Fake Website
The email prompts you to "log in" to confirm details, update payment information, or download your itinerary.
Clicking the link takes you to a convincing but fraudulent website that captures your credentials when you enter them.
Hackers Steal Your Information And/Or Money
If you input your login credentials on the impersonated website, hackers gain access to your airline, hotel, or financial accounts.
If you provide payment information, they can steal your credit card details or conduct unauthorized transactions.
If the link contains malware, your device (and everything on it) could be compromised.
Why This Scam Is So Effective
- It Looks Legit: These phishing emails closely imitate real confirmation messages—logos, formatting, and even familiar-looking links.
- It Plays On Urgency: Phrases like "reservation issue" or "flight change" can trigger panic, prompting quick actions without careful consideration.
- People Are Distracted: Whether busy with work or excited about an upcoming trip, individuals are less likely to verify an email's authenticity.
It's Not Just Personal - It's a business risk too.
If you or your team travels for work, this scam poses even greater dangers. Many businesses have one person managing all reservations—flights, hotels, rental cars, conference bookings.
With numerous confirmation emails received, a fraudulent one can easily go unnoticed. A single click from your office manager, travel coordinator, or executive assistant could:
- Expose your company credit card to fraud.
- Compromise login credentials for corporate travel accounts.
- Introduce malware into your company network if the scam includes malicious attachments.
How To Protect Yourself And Your Business
- Verify Before You Click - Always visit the airline, hotel, or booking website directly rather than clicking email links.
- Check The Sender's Email Address - Scammers use addresses that are close but not exact (e.g., "@deltacom.com" instead of "@delta.com").
- Warn Your Team - Educate employees to recognize phishing scams, especially those responsible for company travel bookings.
- Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) - MFA adds an extra layer of security, even if credentials are compromised.
- Lock Down Business Email Accounts - Implement email security measures to block malicious links and attachments.
Don't Let A Fake Travel Email Cost You Business
Cybercriminals know when and how to strike—travel season is a prime opportunity.
If you or anyone on your team books work-related travel, manages reservations, or oversees expense reports, you're a target.
Let's ensure your business stays protected.
Start with a FREE Discovery Call. We'll check for vulnerabilities, strengthen your defenses and help safeguard your team against phishing scams like this.
Click here or give us a call at (760) 266-5444 to schedule your FREE
Discovery Call today!
