McAfee, a company specializing in cybersecurity and online crime protection, has identified some of the top scams that occur frequently in certain cities when booking lodging and other travel elements. The company compiled a list of cities that are highly targeted for booking scams online.
Among the cities topping the list are Fort Myers Beach in Florida, Sandusky in Ohio, Pocono Manor in Pennsylvania, Waimea in Hawaii, and Chicago in Illinois, according to McAfee.
According to Abhishek Karnik, McAfee’s Director of Threat Research and Response, a significant portion of these scams involve phishing-related fraud, which is the most common type seen by the company.
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Rental scams and ticketing scams are also prevalent against travelers and entertainment seekers during peak travel seasons. Locations frequented by families are common targets for ticketing scams, such as Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky.
Karnik advises being cautious of vouchers that prompt you to enter credit card or bank details on websites, advocating for the use of credit cards for protection and being wary of phishing sites looking to steal personal information.
Rental scams deceive individuals into booking non-existent accommodations, while impersonation scams involve booking misleading services or transportation.
“Maintain a level of skepticism,” Karnik suggests. “Always book through official channels and avoid off-platform bookings or solicitations over phone calls.”
