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 to these schemes.
Here's How The Scam Works
A Fake Booking Confirmation Appears In Your Inbox
The email may seem to originate from reputable travel companies like Expedia, Delta, or Marriott.
Hackers often use official logos, proper formatting, and even "customer support" phone 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 can result in stolen credit card information or unauthorized transactions.
If the link contains malware, your device and all its data could be compromised.
Why This Scam Is So Effective
- It Looks Authentic: These phishing emails closely mimic real confirmation emails, complete with logos, formatting, and familiar-looking links.
- It Plays On Urgency: Messages about "reservation issues" or "flight changes" trigger panic, prompting quick 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 Poses a Business Risk Too.
For businesses with employees who travel for work, this scam becomes even more hazardous. Many companies have one person managing all reservations, including flights, hotels, rental cars, and conference bookings.
With numerous confirmation emails coming in, 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 contains malicious attachments.
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 often use addresses that are similar but not identical (e.g., "@deltacom.com" instead of "@delta.com").
- Warn Your Team - Educate employees about 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 know when and how to strike, and travel season is their prime opportunity.
If you or anyone on your team books work-related travel, manages reservations, or handles expense reports, you're a target.
Let's ensure your business is 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 832-536-9012 to schedule your FREE
Discovery Call today!
