May 12, 2025
Planning a vacation this year? Verify that your confirmation email is legitimate BEFORE clicking anything!
With summer approaching, cybercriminals are taking advantage of the travel season by sending counterfeit 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 those who are tech-savvy are falling victim.
Here's How The Scam Works
A Fake Booking Confirmation Arrives In Your Inbox
The email may appear to originate from reputable travel companies like Expedia, Delta, or Marriott.
Hackers often utilize official logos, proper formatting, and even "customer support" numbers.
Subject lines create a sense of 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 Redirected To A Fake Website
The email prompts you to "log in" to verify details, update payment information, or download your itinerary.
Clicking the link leads 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.
Entering payment details allows them to steal your credit card information or initiate fraudulent transactions.
If the link contains malware, your device and all its contents could be compromised.
Why This Scam Is So Effective
- It Looks Legit: These phishing emails closely imitate real confirmation emails, including logos, formatting, and familiar-looking links.
- It Plays On Urgency: Messages about a "reservation issue" or "flight change" can trigger panic, prompting hasty actions without careful consideration.
- People Are Distracted: Whether busy with work or excited about an upcoming trip, individuals are less likely to verify the authenticity of an email.
It's Not Just Personal - It's a business risk too.
For those in a business setting, this scam poses an even greater threat. Many companies have a single person managing all travel arrangements—flights, hotels, rental cars, and conference bookings.
Given the volume of confirmation emails received, a fraudulent one can easily go unnoticed. A single click from an office manager, travel coordinator, or executive assistant could:
- Expose the company credit card to fraud.
- Compromise login credentials for corporate travel accounts.
- Introduce malware into the company network if the scam includes malicious attachments.
How To Protect Yourself And Your Business
- Verify Before You Click - Always navigate directly to the airline, hotel, or booking website rather than clicking links in emails.
- Check The Sender's Email Address - Scammers often use addresses that are similar but not identical (e.g., "@deltacom.com" instead of "@delta.com").
- Warn Your Team - Educate employees on recognizing phishing scams, especially those responsible for company travel bookings.
- Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) - Even if credentials are compromised, MFA provides an additional layer of security.
- 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 are aware of when and how to strike, with travel season being a prime opportunity.
If you or anyone on your team is involved in booking work-related travel, managing reservations, or handling expense reports, you are a target.
Let's ensure your business remains 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 407-278-5664 to schedule your FREE
Discovery Call today!
