May 11, 2025
Planning a vacation this year? Make sure your confirmation e-mail is legitimate BEFORE you click anything!
Summer is approaching, and cybercriminals are taking advantage of travel season by sending fake booking confirmations that look almost identical to emails from airlines, hotels, and travel agencies. These scams aim to steal personal and financial information, take over your online accounts, and even infect your device with malware.
Even experienced travelers are falling victim.
Here's How The Scam Works
A Fake Booking Confirmation Arrives In Your Inbox
The email may appear to come from well-known travel companies like Expedia, Delta, or Marriott. Hackers often use official logos, proper formatting, and even "customer support" phone numbers. Subject lines are designed to create urgency, such as:
- "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 Taken To A Fake Website
The email urges you to log in to confirm details, update payment information, or download your itinerary. Clicking the link redirects you to a convincing but fraudulent website that captures your credentials when entered.
Hackers Steal Your Information And/Or Money
If you enter your login details on the fake site, hackers gain access to your airline, hotel, or financial accounts. Providing payment information allows them to steal your credit card data or make fraudulent charges. If the link contains malware, your device and its data could be compromised.
Why This Scam Works So Well
- It Looks Real: These phishing emails closely mimic genuine confirmation emails, including logos, formatting, and familiar-looking links.
- It Creates Urgency: Messages about reservation issues or flight changes cause panic, prompting quick action without careful thought.
- People Are Distracted: Whether busy at work or excited about their trip, recipients 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 travel for work, this scam poses an even greater threat. Often, one person manages all reservations—flights, hotels, rental cars, and conferences. Because they receive many confirmation emails, a fraudulent one can easily go unnoticed. A single click from an 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 malicious attachments are included.
How To Protect Yourself And Your Business
- Verify Before You Click - Always visit the airline, hotel, or booking website directly instead of clicking links in emails.
- Check The Sender's Email Address - Scammers use addresses that look similar but are slightly off (for example, "@deltacom.com" instead of "@delta.com").
- Warn Your Team - Train employees to recognize phishing scams, especially those responsible for company travel bookings.
- Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) - Even if credentials are stolen, MFA provides an extra layer of protection.
- Secure 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 exactly when and how to strike, and travel season is prime time. If you or anyone on your team books work travel, manages reservations, or handles expense reports, you are a target. Take steps now to protect your business.
Start with a FREE 15-Minute 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 1300 765 014 to schedule your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call today!
