Posted on November 7, 2025
Powered by artificial intelligence Reservation scams It rose in 2024-2025, with scammers using it Generative artificial intelligence Tools to create fake listings, manipulate search results, and hack hotel accounts. Americans I lost more $274 million For these Travel scams In 2024 with $2.6 million Losses to scams were only reported between April 2024 and April 2025. Such as phishing campaigns Click Repair, Telekopyeand “I paid twice” scam. Targeted platforms such as Booking.comwhile AI-generated search results tricked travelers into calling fraudulent customer service numbers. These scams are concentrated in popularity Tourist destinations He loves Florida, Texasand Washingtonwith losses 183 thousand dollars, 60 thousand dollarsand 41 thousand dollars respectively. Las Vegasin particular, has witnessed high-profile frauds, such as the case in which the victim went missing $768 After misleading them with a fake number. The report urges travelers to only book through trusted platforms, avoid off-platform payments, and verify all communications, especially details generated by artificial intelligence.
The emergence of these scams is directly related to the growth in accessibility and capabilities of artificial intelligence. Scammers take advantage Artificial intelligence tools He loves OpenAI’s GPT models To create compelling travel content, manipulate photos of non-existent vacation homes, and even produce fake customer reviews. These AI-generated reviews have made it difficult for travelers to distinguish between legitimate listings and fraudulent ones. The AI behind these scams can craft genuine-looking communications with travelers, such as emails and customer service inquiries, to make them believe they are dealing with legitimate companies.
Among the most prominent types of fraud identified in 2024 and 2025 are: Phishing campaigns Targeting well-known travel booking platforms such as Booking.com. particularly, Click Repair and Telekopye It exploited AI tools to impersonate these trusted platforms, misleading customers into handing over their credit card information or paying for non-existent reservations. These phishing campaigns typically involve sending emails or text messages containing fake booking confirmations or payment requests, which, when followed, result in the victim directly losing money or unknowingly downloading malware onto their device. Scams may also include fake customer service numbers generated by artificial intelligence, further complicating the situation.
As artificial intelligence continues to play an increasing role in these scams, travelers are becoming more vulnerable. Fraudsters use artificial intelligence to manipulate search results on platforms such as Google Travelers can easily be directed to fake booking sites or fraudulent customer service hotlines. Google AI Overview featurefor example, has been used to display fraudulent phone numbers in search results that appear legitimate at first glance but are actually part of a scam. This technique has caused huge financial loss to those who deal with fake service numbers without their knowledge.
While AI-generated booking fraud is widespread across the United States, it has been particularly concentrated there Heavy tourism Cities like Florida, Texasand Washington. in FloridaTravelers reported their loss 183 thousand dollars For these scams in 2024 alone, while Texas opinion 29 fraud reportsshe informs 60 thousand dollars In losses. in Washingtonthere was 27 Cases of AI-based booking fraud, leading to… 41 thousand dollars In reported damages. These numbers underscore the alarming increase in travel fraud cases and the impact of artificial intelligence technology on consumer safety.
Las Vegas It has also seen a large number of booking scams generated by artificial intelligence. One of the most famous incidents involved a businessman who was tricked into paying $768 After he called a fraudulent customer service number provided through a Google search. The scammer used AI to create fake confirmations for the hotel and convince the victim that they had to make a payment to secure the room. This type of scam has been replicated across major cities in the United States, targeting not only business travelers but also vacationing families and international tourists who are unfamiliar with local laws and regulations.
In addition to direct booking scams, there has also been an increase in fake vacation rentals listed on popular platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com. Scammers are now using artificial intelligence to create convincing listings for non-existent properties, complete with fake reviews and photos. These fake listings typically request payment through off-platform methods, such as bank transfers or gift cards, which are difficult to track and are not protected by the booking platform’s security measures.
As artificial intelligence continues to develop, these scams are likely to become more sophisticated. In response, travel experts and security professionals are urging travelers to adopt more careful booking habits to protect themselves from falling victim to these scams. First and foremost, they recommend booking travel through them Trusted platforms only. Travelers should also be careful when they are asked to make payments outside of the official booking system, as this is a red flag of a scam. It is also essential to verify all communications, especially those that include AI-generated details, as fraudsters can now manipulate the digital landscape to create realistic impersonations of legitimate services.
The increase in AI booking fraud It has raised awareness about the need for more power Fraud protection while traveling Sizes. Travelers are advised to be aware of the warning signs of scams, such as unusual payment requests, unverified customer service numbers, and too-good-to-be-true travel offers. While AI offers significant benefits to the travel industry, it is also being exploited by malicious actors to defraud travelers. Staying vigilant and informed is your best defense against this growing threat.
In conclusion, rise Reservation scams generated by artificial intelligence It is a major concern for travelers in 2024 and 2025. As artificial intelligence technology advances, fraudsters are becoming increasingly adept at exploiting these tools to target tourists and travel enthusiasts. However, by following up Best practices for securing reservationsBy checking all the details and staying on top of the latest emerging fraud tactics, travelers can help protect themselves from these evolving threats.
