It is now possible to book trips online, thanks to the online hotel booking system. However, when your plans for a spring break or summer trip take shape, keep in mind that making reservations online can be risky. Because they are so effective at cheating customers, the number of hotel booking engines is expanding.
Many of the most expensive scams are perpetrated by fake travel websites. Sites selling fraudulent airline tickets, non-existent lodging, bogus vacation packages, and false automobile rentals have defrauded travelers all over the world.
Online scammers are growing more adept, enticing you to visit fraudulent websites that appear to be authentic by employing pop-ups and online adverts.
- Be wary of phony travel websites
How can you know if a website is genuine? The first step is to double-check the domain name. Always double-check that the name is a top-level domain (TLD) with the.com suffix, not.org or.net. A website like makemytrip.com would never use a dot.net or dot.org suffix. Scammers, on the other hand, may exploit them to deceive you. A reputable website, such as tripplanner.com, would never use a variation of its TLD name, such as ‘cheaptripplanner.com,’ which is an obvious red flag.
- Pay attention to online booking payments
Always be extra cautious while making internet payments. To protect your transaction, a secure website employs encryption and authentication. The URL will start with “HTTPS” and display a padlock icon, which is also known as an SSL certificate. Most web browsers now display a warning when a website is not secure. However, you must always pay attention.
When using a third-party platform to make a payment, be cautious. A frequent fraudster approach is to offer a lower rate to entice you away from a trusted booking platform.
- Offers for Free Vacations
Free holidays are frequently offered by travel scammers, who are more interested in robbing money from your bank account than in offering a wonderful vacation. If you’re thinking about taking advantage of a deal like this, read the fine print (particularly the costs associated), look out the listing firms’ track records on sites like Trip Advisor, and look up the company’s record on the Better Business Bureau website.
- Make a call to confirm
Always contact the office after making an online reservation to confirm it. It’s best to know sooner rather than later if there’s no record of your reservation. You’ll have enough time to notify your credit card company, denounce the fraud, and make reservations using the genuine deal.
- Make use of credit cardÂ
When booking online, use a credit card rather than a debit card. You won’t have granted the thieves immediate access to your bank account if the webpage is fake. Fraud protection is offered by many credit card providers.