McAfee research reveals how scammers trick travelers — and what to do to stay safe.

McAfee released its 2025 Safer Summer Travel Report, revealing that while U.S. travelers are cutting back on personal spending, hunting for deals to afford vacations, and researching scams before they book, many still struggle to spot online threats when they appear.

As Americans cut costs to make summer getaways happen — with 58% reducing personal spending — cybercriminals are seizing the opportunity. From fake booking sites to AI-manipulated travel photos, today’s scams are designed to blend in with legitimate deals and catch travelers off guard.

While 65% of Americans say they research common travel scams before booking, 1 in 5 have fallen victim to a travel scam during the booking process. Among those who were scammed, 13% lost more than $500 and 5% lost over $1,000, turning a dream trip into an expensive mistake. Notably, men are more likely than women to lose money to travel scams (29% vs. 18%).

Younger travelers fall victim to these scams at higher rates than other generations: 21% of 18–24-year-olds have clicked on fake confirmation links, and 10% of 25–34-year-olds have been misled by AI-altered travel images — the highest rates of any age group.

“As Americans plan their summer getaways, cybercriminals are planning too, using increasingly sophisticated tactics to exploit travelers,” said Abhishek Karnik, Head of Threat Research for McAfee. “With a significant number of people surveyed falling victim to travel scams, it’s clear that staying vigilant is more important than ever. Scams are becoming harder to spot, from fake booking confirmations to AI-manipulated photos. Taking just a few extra seconds to verify a deal or website can be the difference between a great trip and a costly mistake.”

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The Cost of Adventure

With people cutting back on personal spending to prioritize vacation plans, it’s no surprise that many are drawn to eye-catching travel deals. In fact, 38% are skipping meals out, 44% are passing on entertainment, and 25% are delaying home upgrades just to make room in the budget for a trip. But that desire to save can make people more vulnerable to scams — especially when a too-good-to-be-true deal on flights, hotels, or rentals pops up. Scammers know that when we’re watching our wallets, we may be more likely to click first and ask questions later.

That’s also true around major events. This summer, 30% of Americans plan to travel to a major sporting event, where the excitement of the experience – and the urgency to score tickets, lodging, or airfare – can increase scam risk. Nearly 60% of those travelers say they’re worried about getting tricked by fake ticket sales or other forms of online fraud.

And with 42% of travelers searching for deals on accommodations, 36% on flights, and 35% on excursions, scammers have no shortage of opportunities. Add in the fact that 59% of Americans still trust third-party booking sites as much as booking directly, and it’s clear why this season is a prime time for fraudsters to blend in – and cash in.

Scammers target consumers with fake websites, fraudulent booking confirmations, and misleading photos, making it harder than ever to distinguish real from fake. In fact:

• 1 in 10 Americans has clicked on a scam confirmation link.
• Nearly 1 in 10 (8%) have entered payment details on a fake site.
• 5% have encountered manipulated images of a travel destination.
• 4% have been tricked into booking accommodation or trips that didn’t exist.

Whether it’s a fake deposit, a stolen ID, or a QR code that leads to identity theft, scammers are finding new ways to exploit travelers. These findings are a reminder to stay vigilant when booking vacations and making payments online.

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A few simple precautions can help you stay safe from travel scams:

Before You Travel:

• Watch for Scams – Phishing emails, text messages, and fake travel deals can lead to scammers accessing personal or financial information. Avoid clicking unknown links or sharing personal details.
• Check Rental Listings – Do a reverse image search to uncover fake listings. Scammers often use real property photos or AI-generated visuals. Always read reviews and book through trusted platforms.
• Use McAfee’s Scam Detector – Scam Detector helps protect you from text, email, and video scams by automatically spotting risky links, detecting fraud across devices, and letting you run manual checks on suspicious messages, helping you know what’s real before you click.

While On Vacation:

• Verify Before You Trust — Scammers may pose as hotel staff or tour guides. Double-check identities before sharing information or valuables.
• Stay Secure Online — Public Wi-Fi can expose your data. Use a VPN to browse safely and keep your connection private.
• Carry a Backup Charger — A portable battery pack can be a lifesaver if your phone dies while you’re out and about. It’s a simple way to stay connected and avoid having to rely on public charging stations, where “juice jacking”¹ is a possibility.
• Be Cautious with QR Codes — Fake QR codes can lead to scam websites. Use security software that flags suspicious links before you land on them.
• Think Before You Post — Sharing your location in real time can attract scammers — and even thieves. Broadcasting that you’re away from home or out for the day may increase your risk of physical theft. It’s safer to post updates after you return.

For more information about how to better protect yourself online and learn about McAfee’s products and services, visit www.mcafee.com

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Source – Businesswire