- During peak season, travel scams are more prevalent. They often involve false listings, overcharged food, or fraudulent bookings through travel agencies.
- Cancun, Bangkok and Los Angeles are cities that have the most fraud incidents.
- Mastercard suggests that when you are planning your trip, use credit cards that have fraud protection. Be wary of offers that seem too good-to-be true.
Travel industry is a particularly lucrative sector susceptible to scamsThe Mastercard Economics Institute can help you avoid common scams so that you can travel with confidence.
Scams are as varied as false listings or overcharged food, according to an recently released report from Mastercard. Fraud reports can also be affected by seasonal factors. For example, they tend to increase in popularity during the summer months when temperatures are high and in winter seasons when temperatures are low.
Fraud in the travel industry and with tour companies is four times more common than fraud in other industries. The report also found that scams involving taxis and car rentals are relatively common. However, they are much less prevalent when booking flights or trains.
The company’s report stated: “Whether it be scammers targeting unwary travelers or deceptive booking processes, the travel sector is a well-known target for fraudsters.” The Mastercard Economics Institute believes that understanding fraud trends are particularly important in periods of uncertain economic conditions.
Scams and fraud can vary greatly from one city to another. For example, in Jakarta, taxi and rental car scams account for nearly 66 per cent of all complaints, but they are only 2 percent in Barcelona or Hong Kong. In the United States and Riyadh as well as in Manila, Phuket, and Manila, food service fraud is prevalent. Food services were responsible for 63 per cent of all reported fraud in New York City, and 75 per cent of reported cases of fraud in Los Angeles.
Cancun in Mexico, Hanoi in Vietnam, Dhaka in Bangladesh, and Bangkok Thailand are the cities where there is the most fraud reported.
Before leaving on vacation, travelers need to be aware that scams can occur in the trip-planning process. Trip planning fraud, such as fake confirmation links and manipulated photos, increased more than 12 percent in the last year when compared to 2023. Unusually low prices that seem too good to be true—especially in popular tourist destinations or during peak seasons—should be viewed with caution.
Travelers can take steps to protect themselves from scams and fraud, whether they are traveling domestically or abroad. buying travel insurance Book your trips with credit cards There is strong fraud protection.
