After more than 10 years of travelling to over 60 countries – often solo – I've become pretty good at spotting travel scams before they happen. But the truth is, travel scams are becoming more sophisticated every year. They don't just target inexperienced travellers anymore; they're designed to catch all of us off guard when we're excited, distracted or rushing to book a trip.
Often we can be so wrapped up in physical safety for solo travellers when they land in a destination, but one thing that isn't talked about enough is the scams that can target us before we've even reached the airport. From booking flights, accommodation, car hire and activities – when everything happens online, there is no end of opportunities for something to go wrong.
It's time to shed the embarrassment and shame surrounding getting scammed, the more open conversations about this topic, the better prepared our travellers will be to handle scammers and shut them down right away. Last year alone, UK travellers lost more than £11 million to holiday booking scams, according to Action Fraud, with July seeing the highest number of reports.
If there's one thing I hate, it's fearmongering clickbait that targets solo travellers and makes them feel too afraid to travel. So, that's why this guide is all about helping YOU to identify scams and protect yourself so that you can still book those solo adventures and travel WITHOUT fear.
If you're planning a solo trip, don't forget to read my guides to How to Prepare for First Time Solo Travel and How to Safely Solo Travel as a Woman for real, raw, honest advice from someone who has spent over a decade travelling the world solo (and doesn't believe in telling you to stay home!). If you're worried about taking a first solo trip, you need to read Scared to Travel Solo? Here's how to be brave.
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Scam 1: Fake Booking.com / hotel payment messages
This is probably the hottest travel scam right now and it's a particularly worrying one because the emails and messages can seem so genuine! There have been multiple high-profile reports of scammers sending messages that appear to come from hotels via Booking.com, asking guests to "verify" payment details or pay again to avoid cancellation.
These messages often use genuine booking details, making them especially convincing. Often, the scammer appears to know hotel details, dates, your name and even your booking number which is why it can be so easy to fall for them. I receive countless emails like this a week and while many of them are clearly spam – there are some that can be scarily convincing.
Red flags to look out for?
- "Payment failed"
- "Confirm within 24 hours"
- "Your reservation will be cancelled"
- Links outside Booking.com
- WhatsApp messages
How to handle this one?
One of the biggest tips I can give is to slow down, breathe and don't panic when a message comes through. We're always rushing around and often scammers will try to place a time pressure on you to create a panicked response. Remember to NEVER enter payment details from a message. Instead, open the Booking.com app directly or phone the hotel using the number on its official website.
Scam 2: Fake accommodation listings
One of the longest running travel booking scams and yet one that continues to catch out travellers when booking their holidays. From fake Airbnb listings to cloned villa websites and holiday rentals that don't exist, to fake Booking.com properties. Unfortunately, the lacking customer support across the real platforms can also be pretty rubbish which makes it difficult to verify scams.
Solo travellers can be particularly vulnerable to this scam because when you're travelling alone it's tempting to grab the "last room available" because you don't have someone else checking prices. Scammers exploit urgency by creating an irresistible "great deal".
Red flags to look out for?
- Prices much cheaper than everywhere else
- Brand new listing
- Very few reviews
- Reviews all posted within days
- Asked to pay by bank transfer
- Asked to continue conversation on WhatsApp
How to handle this one?
This is one of those times when you should slow down and trust your gut, if something feels off, it probably is. There are a few methods that can help you to verify properties and protect yourself against scammers:
- Reverse image search photos
- Read newest reviews first
- Book through reputable platforms
- Never leave the platform to pay
Scam 3: Fake airline customer support
This year alone, there may have been record numbers of flights delayed, cancelled and more travellers than ever affected due to political conflict and crazy weather patterns across the globe. Unfortunately, this scam already catches out thousands every year but opportunities are increasing when flight issues become more frequent.
If you're someone who travels a lot, or who travels solo, you may be at higher risk of being caught out as you try and keep track across multiple bookings and cross-platforms. If you're stranded alone abroad, you might be more inclined to panic or worry which makes these scams far more effective and likely to catch you out.
Red flags to look out for?
Always remember, if you receive a message saying your flight is delayed or cancelled and you Google search "Airline customer service" – the top result could be a fake ad placed there. If an "agent" asks you to download software, share card details or pay rebooking fees, it's a scam.
How to handle this one?
Make sure you only ever contact airlines through their official apps or websites, verified social accounts and never Google customer support numbers when stressed.
Scam 4: Social media holiday deals
There's been a huge rise in the numbers of social media holiday deals where travellers are selling unused flights, cheap package holiday deals, cancelled trips or villa stays. I've seen them crop up across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok and they're capitalising on your FOMO. It's that last minute deal feeling where you think you're getting a bargain no-one else has seen.
It's not always a scam – but more often than ever now, it is a method being used by scammers and by buying travel direct from others (whether you know them or not) means you're not protected and may even void your travel insurance – make sure you check what you are covered for.
How to handle this one?
Always book flights directly with airlines and if anyone asks you for payment by bank transfer... walk away! Action Fraud and consumer experts continue to warn about fake discounted flight offers promoted through social media.
Scam 5: Fake public Wi-Fi booking theft
Imagine you've just arrived at the airport, hotel lobby or a ute cafe to spend a day working while you travel. You might be the savviest solo traveller or digital nomad, but naturally, you need to connect to wi-fi. You see "Free Airport WiFi" and click connect, but without realising it is a fake network.
While you're connected and completely unaware, a scammer intercepts traffic and captures passwords, payment details or login credentials while your connection isn't protected. If you're travelling solo, or working while travelling, you're far more likely to connect to public wi-fi (particularly if you're travelling without an eSIM). Your connection to wi-fi can be a lifeline when you're travelling alone and can allow you to check in for flights, book hotels, access banking, buy train tickets or message family to let them know you're safe.
One thing I've learnt after years of solo travel is that staying safe isn't just about looking after your passport or avoiding scams in person. Some of the biggest travel risks now happen online, especially when we're relying on public Wi-Fi in airports, hotels and cafés.
How to handle this one?
This is where you need a travel tool like Proton VPN to help protect you even when you're not thinking straight because you've been travelling all night on zero sleep. A VPN is an invaluable tool to save money on travel, but did you know it can also be used to protect you while you're online?
I never travel without one and whether I'm scrolling or working remotely, it's working behind-the-scenes to encrypt my internet connection and protect my personal information on public Wi-Fi. It also enables me to browse privately through sensitive work files and their easy Chrome VPN extension allows me to book while I'm on the go. It helps provide peace of mind, which goes a long way when you're travelling solo and have a million other things to think about.
The good news? Most travel scams are surprisingly easy to avoid once you know what to look for. A few extra minutes checking reviews, booking through trusted websites and protecting your connection online can save you hundreds, or even thousands, of pounds. After more than a decade of solo travel, I've learnt that confidence doesn't come from never making mistakes. It comes from knowing how to spot the warning signs before they become a problem.
If you're feeling unsure, you may like to read The Essential Toolkit for Digital Nomads: Apps & Tools to make travel easier
