HOUSTON – As millions of travelers prepare to hit the skies for Thanksgiving, the Houston Airports System is bracing for an influx of around 2.2 million passengers. But this busy travel season also brings a surge in travel scams, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning passengers to stay vigilant.
Imagine this scenario: you book a flight, pack your bags, and head to the airport—only to realize that your ticket is fake, and the company you booked with is a scam. Unfortunately, this is the harsh reality for many travelers each year, especially during peak holiday travel times.
The BBB reports that fake websites are increasingly becoming a common tactic for scammers, often using AI-generated designs that mimic well-known travel brands. These sites can appear nearly identical to legitimate airline or hotel booking pages, tricking unsuspecting users into making purchases. But when it’s time to board, travelers are left with nothing but frustration and lost money.
Leah Napoliello, spokesperson for the BBB, explains, “We’re seeing a lot of these fake websites for either airlines or hotels. People think they’re booking through a legitimate site, only to find out that no tickets were actually purchased.”
Victims, like Flor Koll, have shared their stories of being scammed by fake websites. Koll and her family booked their travel through an online platform, only to receive no tickets or refunds.
“Early in the morning before we’re supposed to go on our flight, we were told the system was down and all our arrangements were canceled,” Koll recalled.
After that, all communication was cut off. The BBB reports that Koll is one of at least five known victims of this particular scam.
“It was heartbreaking” said Koll. “We lost money that we still haven’t gotten back. And, no trip.”
Travel scams often prey on the sense of urgency and the desire to find a great deal. The BBB advises travelers to be cautious of deals that seem “too good to be true,” especially when they involve last-minute bookings or steep discounts.
Napoliello points out some common signs of scam websites:
- Unrealistic prices: If the deal seems too cheap, it’s likely a red flag.
- Unsecure payment systems: Scam sites often lack security features, making it unsafe to enter payment information.
- Spelling and grammar errors: AI-generated sites often make subtle mistakes, which can be a clue that the site isn’t legitimate.
The speed at which these fake sites operate is one of the reasons they can be so devastating. Often, these websites are taken down within hours of processing payments, making it difficult to track them down once you’ve been scammed. However, Napoliello emphasizes that quick reporting can help trace your payment and possibly recover your funds.
Flor Koll’s advice is simple but crucial: “This is your hard-earned money, and you need to make sure you get what you paid for.”
Before booking your travel this holiday season, always double-check the legitimacy of the website, ensure the payment method is secure, and look for any signs of errors or discrepancies.
With travel scams on the rise, the BBB urges consumers to report suspicious websites immediately to help protect others from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes. Fast action can make all the difference when it comes to recovering your hard-earned money and ensuring a smooth and enjoyable holiday trip.
