7 Summer Travel Scams to Watch Out for in 2025

Smart tips to help protect your information and enjoy your vacation with peace of mind.

Summer should be about relaxing, not worrying. But with more travel planning and booking happening online, it’s important to stay alert to scams designed to steal your money or personal information. At Provident, we believe in making life easy, so we’re here to help you travel smarter and safer this season.
 

The Travel Scams

1. Fake Vacation Rental Listings

   Scammers post convincing rental homes on trusted sites like Airbnb or Vrbo. You book, pay, and show up, only to discover the listing was fake.

   How to stay safe

   Book only through official channels. Avoid off-platform payments like Venmo or wire transfers. Read reviews carefully and confirm the host’s details before you book.

    

2. Too-Good-to-Be-True Travel Deals on Social Media

   You see an ad for luxury hotel stays or low airfare. The site looks real, but it’s a setup to collect your personal or payment info.

   How to stay safe

   Stick to booking directly through airline or hotel websites you trust. Double-check URLs and avoid clicking on unfamiliar ads, even if the deal looks tempting.
    

3. Fake Airline Customer Service Numbers

   When a flight is delayed, it’s common to search for help fast. Scammers create fake websites with phony phone numbers that show up in search results. They’ll offer to “rebook” your flight for a fee.

   How to stay safe

   Use the contact information listed on the airline’s official website or app. Save it before your trip so it’s easy to find when you need it.
    

4. Malicious QR Codes in Tourist Areas

   Scammers can place fake QR codes over legitimate ones on airport signs, menus, or kiosks. You scan it and end up on a phishing site or accidentally download malware.

   How to stay safe

   Always confirm QR codes with staff before scanning. Preview the link before clicking and keep your phone’s security software up to date.
    

5. Public Wi-Fi Traps

   Free airport or hotel Wi-Fi is convenient, but scammers can set up networks with nearly identical names. Once you connect, they can spy on your activity or steal your logins.

   How to stay safe

   Use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi. Never enter sensitive information like passwords or banking details unless you’re on a secure connection.
    

6. Phishing Emails That Look Like Travel Confirmations

   You might get an email that looks like it’s from your airline or hotel. It says there’s an issue with your booking and asks you to click a link. But it’s a fake.

   How to stay safe

   If something doesn’t look right, don’t click. Log in directly through the company’s website or app to verify your reservations.
    

7. Refund or Cancellation Scams

   After a travel disruption, scammers pose as customer service reps offering refunds. They’ll ask for your personal info or payment details to “process” it.

   How to stay safe

   If you didn’t request a refund, don’t share your information. Contact your airline or hotel directly using verified contact details.
    

A Few Extra Tips

• Use credit cards for travel purchases. They offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards.

• Turn on account alerts to get notified about unusual activity.

• Back up important documents like your passport or ID in a secure cloud folder.

• Keep your phone and apps updated to stay protected while traveling.

Provident will never contact you to ask for verification of your account or security information. If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a Provident employee, ignore the message and hang up immediately. If in doubt, contact Provident directly at (800) 632-4600.