Traveling This Christmas? Watch Out for These Scams

Crime

By Associated Press

Published 7 months ago on

December 7, 2024

Holiday travelers beware: Scammers are out in full force this Christmas season, targeting unsuspecting victims with various deceptive schemes. (Depositphotos)

Phishers impersonate travel agencies and airlines, sending urgent messages to trick people into revealing sensitive information.
Street vendors in foreign countries may offer "free" items as bait, then demand high payments once you accept their gifts.
Always book through reputable sites and be cautious of suspiciously cheap deals to avoid falling victim to fake travel websites.

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Christmas is an exciting time for family gatherings and travel, but it’s also a peak period for scammers to strike. It can be easier than you think to fall victim to a scam, especially during the busy holiday season when you might overlook details you would normally catch. If you’re traveling this Christmas, make sure you’re aware of these common deceptions, from fake travel websites to ticket fraud, so you can enjoy your holidays worry free.

Phishing Scams Target Holiday Travelers

Scammers are relentless, even during this joyful time of the year. Phishers impersonate legitimate organizations to trick victims into providing their information, like credit card numbers, social security numbers or passwords. During the holidays, scammers often pose as travel agencies, airlines or hotels and contact you through email or text. Usually, it’s an urgent message saying there’s an issue with your booking or that you’ve won a vacation.

Always check the sender’s email address to ensure it comes from an official company domain. Scammers can be sneaky here by taking the official domain and adding an extra period or letter to the address, making it easy to overlook at first glance. Avoid clicking any suspicious links, as it can result in viruses being downloaded onto your device.

Beware of Distraction Techniques and Free Item Offers

Scammers come up with the most creative ways to steal your belongings, including distraction techniques. After leaving a restaurant where you enjoyed a delicious casserole, someone may approach you, claiming that you have a stain on your clothing. They may offer to help you clean up, and in that brief moment, their accomplice will take your bag or other valuables. While this scenario may sound unusual, these criminals are clever and skilled, targeting unsuspecting individuals in unexpected situations.

If you’re traveling to a foreign country, you’ll likely come across people offering what seems like free items, like roses or bracelets. While these gestures may appear to be friendly, they are traps to overcharge you for the item. They will demand a high payment once you take the rose or allow them to put the bracelet on you. To avoid falling for these traps, it’s best to politely refuse any offers from street vendors, no matter how aggressively they approach you.

Avoid Fake Travel Websites and Ticketing Fraud

Whether you’re traveling this holiday to enjoy a well-deserved getaway or see loved ones and eat your mom’s comforting meals, be sure to book your trip through reputable sites. While everyone loves a good deal, it’s crucial to be cautious of fake websites offering cheap prices for flights or accommodations. After making a payment you may find that the booking is nonexistent or not as advertised. You wouldn’t want to miss the chance to savor your mom’s authentic bibimbap after being denied the opportunity to fly home at the gates. Make sure to check reviews on sites like Tripadvisor before booking and compare prices to other trusted platforms to see if the deal isn’t too good to be true.

There’s nothing quite like attending a performance of “The Nutcracker” or a Broadway show that you can’t catch in your hometown. However, these popular shows often sell out quickly, which may tempt you to seek tickets from other sources. This is where scammers will strike, ready to sell counterfeit tickets to eager fans. Regardless of how much you want to attend the event, always purchase from authorized sellers and be wary of resellers – it can be difficult to check the authenticity of a ticket you’re buying from a third party.

Watch Out for Taxi Scams and Stay Vigilant

After a long flight, all you want is to relax in your hotel room and order ravioli carbonara from room service. In a hurry to get to your accommodation, you hop into a random taxi at the airport, only to have the driver charge an exorbitant rate after reaching your destination. This is a common scam, where taxi drivers claim their meter is broken and instead charge a high flat rate.

To avoid this, it’s important to research reputable taxi companies in the country you are visiting and check that the meter is turned on during your ride. If the area supports ride-sharing apps like Lyft or Uber, these can be safer options to use, as they provide you with the cost upfront.

Stay Safe this Christmas

The weeks leading up to Christmas are filled with excitement as you prepare for the festivities. Don’t let scams spoil your holiday spirit – whether it be phishing attempts or getting sold fake flights, staying vigilant is key. Protect yourself and your loved ones so you can enjoy a peaceful Christmas filled with laughs, good food and celebrations.

Mandy Applegate is the creator behind Splash of Taste and six other high-profile food and travel blogs. She’s also co-founder of Food Drink Life Inc., the unique and highly rewarding collaborative blogger project. Her articles appear frequently on major online news sites and she always has her eyes open to spot the next big trend.