- TRAVEL
Latest travel scams: Here’s how to protect your money when booking a vacation
ByStephanie SierraandJustin Mendoza
Sunday, July 12, 2026 8:48PM
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) –A summer vacation is the perfect way to relax, but until you’re safely on the beach, be skeptical of certain offers online
Scammers are constantly evolving their tricks to take your money
Here are three most common travel scams to look our for — and how to protect yourself, according to the Federal Trade Commission
First — when searching online for a hotel and flights, scammers can use paid search engine ads to put their website or phone number next to a well-known company’s name in the results
The links take you to a website that looks like a real hotel or airline, but instead steal your payment information or give you the phone number to phony customer service
So instead of clicking the first link you see, scroll down to the unpaid search results, right below the sponsored ones. Then be sure to check you have the correct website and contact info
Or if you know the company’s website URL, type it directly in your browser
Second — if you’re hitting the road for your next vacation — be skeptical of any text messages about unpaid tolls. Scammers often send urgent fake texts with phishing links for payment using the logo of a legitimate toll agency
To see if it’s legit, contact the toll agency directly, like FastTrak
MORE: Credit card delinquencies at highest level in 15 years, report says: What to do if you’re delinquent
The third travel tip, as we’ve reported many times here on 7 On Your Side, pay attention to how you’re asked to make any kind of payment. If a company asks for payment as a wire transfer, gift card, payment app or cryptocurrency — those are red flags
Fourth, the FTC recommends getting all the details of a travel offer. If the organizer fails to provide more specific information other than saying, ‘you’ll stay at a ‘five-star’ resort,” you’re advised to walk away
Lastly, as you know, do some research by looking up the names of travel companies, hotels, rentals, agents with the words “review,” “complaints” and “scam,” and look at what people are saying online
Remember — once scammers get your money, it’s hard to get it back, so use methods of payments with consumer protections, like credit cards
For more information from the Federal Trade Commission, click here
Take a look at more stories and videos by 7 On Your Side
7OYS’s consumer hotline is a free consumer mediation service for those in the San Francisco Bay Area. We assist individuals with consumer-related issues; we cannot assist on cases between businesses, or cases involving family law, criminal matters, landlord/tenant disputes, labor issues, or medical issues. Please review our FAQ here. As a part of our process in assisting you, it is necessary that we contact the company / agency you are writing about. If we believe we can be of assistance, we will reach back out in response.
Report a correction or typo
Copyright © 2026 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
