Booked Your Dream Trip? Here’s How to Keep It
Scam-Free.

Say Bon Voyage to Travel Scams: 5 Travel Scams to Avoid on Your Next Trip

You’ve planned the perfect vacation. Tickets are booked, bags are packed, and you're counting down the days to take off. But while you're dreaming of ocean breezes and city escapes, scammers are dreaming of ways to cash in on your plans. Each year, thousands of travelers fall victim to travel scams that turn relaxing getaways into costly nightmares.
Whether you're booking your dream destination or a quick weekend road trip, being aware of common travel scams can help keep your vacation safe, enjoyable, and fraud-free. Here are five of the most frequent travel scams and how to avoid them.

1. Unreliable Third-Party Booking Sites

The scam: Scammers create lookalike travel booking websites or ads that resemble legitimate airlines, hotel chains, or travel agencies. You might even get a confirmation email, but the reservation never actually exists.
How to protect yourself:

• Always double-check website URLs for subtle misspellings or missing letters.
• Go directly to the official airline, hotel, or rental car website rather than clicking links from ads or emails.
• Use a credit card to make purchases. Credit cards, like one of our Monterra Credit Union  Visa® Credit Cards, offer better fraud protection than other payment methods.

2. Too-Good-to-Be-True Flight or Hotel Deals

The scam: You stumble across an unbelievably cheap flight or a luxury hotel offering 70% off. However, when you book, the confirmation is fake, and your personal data is compromised.
How to protect yourself:

• Watch out for unfamiliar websites or random social media ads with deep discounts.
• Make sure the site is secure (look for “https” in the URL).
• Avoid payment methods that offer little to no fraud protection, like wire transfers, prepaid gift cards, or Zelle.

3. Fake Vacation Rentals

The scam: You find a beautiful beach house or cozy cabin online with stunning photos and unbelievably low prices. The catch? It’s either a property that doesn’t exist or is owned by someone completely unaware it’s being “rented out.”

How to protect yourself:

• Be cautious with listings that require full payment upfront, especially via wire transfer or payment apps like Zelle.
• Do your homework: Search the listing, property manager, or rental company with keywords like “scam,” “reviews,” or “complaints.”
• Use trusted platforms that offer consumer protections or money-back guarantees.

4. “Free” Vacation Offers

The scam: You receive an unsolicited phone call, text, or email congratulating you for winning a luxury cruise or all-inclusive vacation. But when you follow up, the “free” trip comes with hidden fees, mandatory seminars, or pressure to make costly upgrades.
How to protect yourself:

• Be skeptical of high-pressure tactics or offers that demand immediate action.
• Legitimate offers don’t require you to pay taxes or fees before you claim a prize.
• Take your time to verify the company or organization making the offer. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

5. Travel Insurance Imposters

The scam: You’re offered travel insurance that sounds professional and comprehensive. But when the unexpected happens, you find out your policy was fake, and you’re left with no reimbursement for trip cancellations, lost luggage, or medical emergencies.
How to protect yourself:

• Verify that the insurance provider is licensed and recognized by a national association, like the U.S. Travel Insurance Association.
• Research the company thoroughly and read the policy's fine print.
• Before purchasing a separate policy, check if your credit card includes built-in travel protections.

Your Best Travel Companion? Awareness.

Scammers are smart, but with the right information, you can be smarter. Take a few extra minutes to verify offers, double-check sites, and ask questions before entering personal or payment information. It could save you money and your vacation.

If you ever suspect fraud or need help verifying a suspicious offer, we're here to support you. Call us directly at (650) 363-1725 or stop by your nearest branch. You can also visit our Fraud & Security Center for tips, tools, and additional resources to help protect yourself year-round.

Safe travels from all of us at Monterra Credit Union.