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 fake 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.
Here's How The Scam Works
A Fake Booking Confirmation Arrives In Your Inbox
The email may seem to come 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 confirm details, update payment information, or download your itinerary.
Clicking the link takes you to a convincing but fraudulent website that captures your information when you enter it.
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 process unauthorized 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 mimic real confirmation emails with similar logos, formatting, and familiar-looking links.
- It Plays On Urgency: Phrases like "reservation issue" or "flight change" trigger panic, prompting quick actions without careful thought.
- People Are Distracted: Whether busy with work or excited about a 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 an even greater threat. Many businesses have one person managing all reservations, including flights, hotels, rental cars, and conference bookings.
Due to the volume of confirmation emails, 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 navigate directly to the airline, hotel, or booking website instead of following email links.
- Check The Sender's Email Address - Scammers often use addresses that are similar but not exact (e.g., "@deltacom.com" instead of "@delta.com").
- Warn Your Team - Educate employees on recognizing phishing scams, especially those involved in 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 know when and how to strike, and travel season is peak time.
If you or anyone on your team is responsible for booking work-related travel, managing reservations, or handling 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 859-245-0582 to schedule your FREE
Discovery Call today!
