This New Travel Con Is So Real Looking It's Tricking Even the Most 'Scam Aware' Travelers-Here's How to Stay Safe

"The text message usually says something that would feel urgent to someone who's about to travel, such as: "your flight is canceled" or "your reservation payment failed" or "your flight is delayed." To make it look real, it often includes your name and reservation information. This is all followed by a link or phone number, with the goal being to get you to click the link or call the number to investigate."

"When you click the link, it takes you to a real-looking airline or hotel page. You will be prompted to log in or verify payment, which is how they steal your information. Fox News shared in a November 2025 article that the text also might include a phone number that connects you to a scammer who is pretending to be an airline or hotel agent."

Scammers send urgent text messages that appear to come from airlines or hotels, often including the recipient's name and reservation details. Messages claim flight cancellations, delays, or failed payments and include a link or phone number to investigate. Clicking the link directs victims to realistic-looking airline or hotel pages that prompt logins or payment verification to harvest credentials. Calls connect victims to fraudsters posing as agents who offer rebooking for a fee and request payment details or personal data like birth dates and passport numbers. The fraudulent domains are usually slightly off or shortened versions of real sites. Only use official apps or type company websites directly to manage reservations.

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