Planning your summer trip? Between hunting for the cheapest flights, booking hotels and organising airport transfers, there’s already plenty to spend. And while you’re busy counting down to your holiday, cybercriminals could be busy planning their next scam, and you could be the next target. Security experts are warning travellers to stay alert, as fake travel websites, booking platforms and airline offers are on the rise. So before you hit that ‘Book Now’ button, here’s everything you need to know to keep your trip (and your bank account) safe!
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Stay Alert As Travel Scams Are On The Rise
The cybersecurity company Kaspersky has reported a sharp rise in travel-related cyber scams. In fact, their security systems detected nearly 270,000 cyberattack attempts disguised as trusted travel brands between 2025 and 2026. The spike comes during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, when millions of people are booking holidays online. Scammers take advantage of the seasonal rush by creating convincing fake websites, apps, and booking pages that look almost identical to those of legitimate travel services. The idea is to trick unsuspecting travellers (especially those in a rush to grab affordable prices) into handing over payment details, banking credentials, and other personal information.
The Most Targeted Airline Brand – Emirates
Among transport companies, Emirates was the most impersonated brand, accounting for 61% of all transport-related phishing attempts detected during the study. Uber followed closely behind, making up 37% of the attacks. Cybercriminals basically create fake airline websites and counterfeit booking pages that look genuine enough to fool users into entering sensitive financial information. With travellers often switching between multiple websites and apps while comparing fares, experts say scammers are finding plenty of opportunities to strike.
Scammers Do Not JUST Want Your Booking Details
Many of the cyber threats involve sophisticated malware designed to steal financial information. Researchers explain that these attacks go far beyond stealing travel reservations. In most cases, cybercriminals are targeting victims’ bank accounts and financial data directly.
Fake Refunds & Compensation Offers Trick Travellers
Some scams uncovered by researchers involved fake messages pretending to be from Ryanair, claiming passengers were eligible for flight compensation. Victims were encouraged to act quickly by submitting their bank details or paying a small ‘processing fee’ before the supposed refund expired. Experts warn that these scams rely heavily on creating a sense of urgency. So it’s important to keep in mind that legitimate airlines do not ask customers to pay upfront fees for refunds and compensation.
Be Aware Of Fake Booking Websites
Researchers also discovered convincing fake versions of Booking.com. Through these fake websites, travellers believed they were successfully booking accommodation. And once users enter their personal and payment details, they only realise they’ve been scammed when they arrive at their destination. This can be because they realise that no reservation actually exists. Nowadays, these types of fraudulent websites are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it even more important to double-check where you’re booking.
Why Are Travel Accounts A Major Target For Cybercriminals
Kaspersky’s research also identified 5,414 cyberattack attempts targeting travel and accommodation platforms. Most travel accounts often store valuable personal information, including payment methods, passport details, and booking history. These accounts also hold conversations with hotels or tour operators, making them particularly attractive to scammers.
What Makes Travellers Easy Targets
Most travel brands sit at the perfect crossroads of trust, urgency, and online payments, which makes them especially appealing to cybercriminals. People searching for flights or accommodation often compare dozens of websites, rush to grab limited-time deals and make quick payment decisions. It is that fast-paced booking process that gives scammers the perfect opportunity to slip fake links and fraudulent offers before travellers realise something isn’t right.
How To Protect Yourself While Booking Online
While scammers are becoming smarter in their tactics, a few extra checks can go a long way toward keeping your holiday stress-free.
- Book flights, hotels and transport only through official websites or apps.
- Double-check website addresses before entering payment details.
- Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true or demand immediate payment.
- Use strong, unique passwords for your travel accounts.
- Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
- Download travel apps only from official app stores.
- Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements for unusual activity.
- Scan QR codes only if they come from trusted sources.
- Avoid logging into sensitive accounts using public Wi-Fi unless you’re connected through a trusted VPN.
Remember that your holiday should leave you with unforgettable memories, not unexpected bank charges. As travel scams become more convincing, taking a few extra moments to verify websites and offers could really help you avoid a costly mistake! And as always, keep reading Gulf Buzz for more handy updates and travel tips!
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