Ah, summer! The season of sunshine, sandy beaches, and… scamming scoundrels? Yes, folks, while you’re out there hunting for the perfect vacation deal, scammers are hunting your hard-earned cash. But fear not! We’re here to turn the tides in your favor. Let’s expose these sneaky scams and keep your vacation dreams afloat.

Scammy Searches: The Sneaky Ads

When you’re searching online for that swanky hotel or cheap flight, beware of those shady paid ads. Scammers love to piggyback on the popularity of well-known companies. They’ll create ads with phone numbers and links designed to look like they belong to reputable brands. Here’s the trick: scroll past the ads to the unpaid search results. Or, if you’re feeling tech-savvy, type the company’s website directly into your browser. This way, you’ll know you’re dealing with the real deal.

The Toll Trolls

Driving on a vacation? Scammers have infiltrated the roads, too. They send fake “unpaid toll” texts demanding immediate payment faster than you can say “road trip”. If you receive such a text, resist the urge to pay up. Instead, contact the toll agency directly using a number or website you trust— not the one from the text. Remember, haste makes waste… especially when it comes to your wallet.

Tips to Outsmart Travel Tricksters

  • Get the Deets: If you’re offered a deal that sounds too good to be true, get all the nitty-gritty details before committing. If the organizer can only promise vague luxury like a “five-star resort” without specifics, run like you just spotted a snake on the beach.

  • Do Your Homework: Before handing over any cash, investigate. Look up reviews or complaints about the travel company, hotel, or agent. A little sleuthing can save you from a big headache.

  • Payment Pitfalls: If a company insists on being paid via wire transfer, gift card, payment app, or cryptocurrency, it’s probably a scam. These payment methods are the black holes of the financial world—once your money goes in, it’s gone forever.

Stay scam-savvy and report any fraudsters you encounter. Your dream vacation deserves to be stress-free and scam-free!

For more details, swim on over to ftc.gov/TravelScams. Spotted a scam? Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Read the full article here: Original Article URL

Original article: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/06/how-avoid-travel-scam-summer