Scam library
Fake travel bookings
A travel seller takes payment for flights, rooms, or packages that were never actually booked.
What it looks like
Fictional example: Your flight and hotel package is held until 6 p.m. Transfer the deposit to confirm at example.com/travel.
Fictional example: We have an exclusive resort rate. Pay outside the booking site to secure the discount.
How it works
A fake agent or copied booking site advertises appealing travel offers. You receive an itinerary or confirmation that looks plausible, but the provider has no valid booking for you. Some scammers keep asking for additional charges before you discover the reservation is missing.
Warning signs
- The airline or hotel cannot confirm the reservation.
- A seller moves payment away from the original booking service.
- Only a bank transfer or cryptocurrency payment is accepted.
- An itinerary is offered as proof without a verifiable booking.
If you got one of these
- Verify the travel seller independently before paying.
- Contact the airline or accommodation directly using independently found details.
- Check cancellation terms and payment protection.
- Keep booking and payment inside the verified service.
If you already paid or shared something
- Ask the actual travel provider whether a valid booking exists.
- Contact your card issuer or bank promptly about a dispute or transfer recall.
- Keep the itinerary, receipts, and messages; report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Who gets targeted
People arranging vacations, family visits, group travel, or last-minute trips.