Travel scams are everywhere! The moment you begin planning your trip, to the second you return home, scammers are experts at taking advantage of your excitement, urgency, and sometimes the lack of local knowledge. The excitement of exploring new cities and making the most of amazing experiences – these scammers take advantage of it all and strike when you least expect it. But how deep does this scam game go? The Travel Trends Report 2025 by MasterCard reveals this dark side of modern travel, shedding light on how and where travel fraud hits the hardest.
MasterCard’s Report Reveals Shocking Travel Scam Trends
MasterCard’s Travel Trends Report 2025 reveals the complex trap of travel scams. According to the report, fraud spikes by up to 28% during peak travel seasons, when we are all in a hurry to book everything quickly before our dream accommodation or preferred experience sells out. Certain travel sectors, like travel agencies and taxi and car rentals, are especially vulnerable, with risk being over 4 times higher than average. In comparison, flights and hotels experience relatively less fraud, but it’s still there.
If you think that scammers can get to you only when you are on vacation, think again. Trip planning is also a risky phase. Before you even leave your home, scammers manipulate photos, send fake booking confirmations, and offer deals that are too good to be true.
Cities like Cancun, Hanoi, and Bangkok also report higher fraud rates. On the other side, places like San Francisco, Dublin, and Seoul have much lower fraud incidents. Naturally, as holiday seasons approach, the problem increases even more. Fraud sees a spike during summer and winter peak travel times by 18% and 28%, respectively.
MasterCard’s Travel Trends Report 2025 also sheds light on the increasingly cautious behaviour of travellers using digital wallets, travel insurance, and credit cards with zero fraud liability. Some travellers even avoid high-risk destinations altogether. The report also highlights the power of AI and digital wallets in keeping travellers safe.
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Travel Hacks To Save Yourself From Fraud
Is there a way around dealing with these scammers and protecting yourself while travelling? Absolutely yes! Here are some ways and travel hacks for you to deal with scams.
- Research is important. You must always use reputable websites and verified platforms before making any bookings. Be careful and avoid too-good-to-be-true deals.
- While making payments, always use secure payment methods. Use red credit cards that offer zero fraud liability, digital wallets, and mobile payments for an added layer of safety.
- Always verify all limited-time offers and don’t rush into making any bookings before you verify their legitimacy.
- Do not share sensitive information over unsecured networks. Make sure to activate two-factor authentication on travel apps.
Travel scams are certainly on the rise but you can definitely safeguard yourself with the travel hacks. If you stay cautious and make the most of the technology, you can enjoy all your travels without falling prey to any scams.
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