Travelers face rising scams through brand impersonation and fake listings

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting travelers through sophisticated impersonation scams and fraudulent listings. Research from Kaspersky identified approximately 262,663 attack attempts over a 12-month period between mid-2025 and early 2026, where attackers masqueraded as major transport and service brands. Among detected transport-related attacks, 61% impersonated Emirates and 37% impersonated Uber. These attacks often utilize phishing pages, fake applications, and Trojans—specifically Trojan-Bankers—to steal banking credentials and payment information.

In the United States, data from Airbnb indicates that over 40% of Americans have fallen victim to online scams, with average losses nearing $2,000. Common tactics include fake property listings, unusually low-priced travel deals, and fraudulent compensation offers, such as one scam impersonating Ryanair to solicit fees for supposed flight payouts.

Financial experts advise travelers to remain cautious of deals that appear significantly cheaper than market rates and to avoid payment methods that are difficult to reverse, such as wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Consumers are encouraged to verify website addresses, use established booking platforms, and avoid communicating with hosts outside of official channels.