Brits have been issued a stark warning ahead of the festive season, as travel scams are on the rise.

If you’re planning a Christmas getaway, it’s crucial to be aware of potential pitfalls due to a staggering 900% surge in travel scams over the past year and a half, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a significant role.

Booking.com recently revealed victims of holiday scams are losing an average of £765 – a 4% increase from last year. The experts at AIPRM have put together a list of the top AI-driven threats travellers should be wary of this holiday season.

Fake airline and hotel booking websites

Thanks to AI, scammers no longer need to be tech-savvy to replicate legitimate travel booking platforms.

These sites entice travellers with phrases like “limited-time sale” or “only one left” to pressure consumers into making hasty decisions. Once you enter your details, scammers can steal your personal and financial information, leaving you with a worthless ticket and out of pocket.

Be vigilant for suspicious URLs, minor spelling mistakes or anything that seems unusual about the website’s design or offers. Always double-check through official channels and read verified reviews before providing your personal information.

Remember, if an offer appears too good to be true, it likely is.

AI chatbots

AI-powered chatbots are being exploited by fraudsters to mimic customer service representatives, offering substantial discounts on flights, hotels or holiday packages. These bots may request sensitive personal data or urge users to pay in advance for non-existent trips.

It’s crucial to verify any deals or offers found online via official travel websites and refrain from providing payment details through unfamiliar channels. Always double-check all information and confirm through official customer service numbers or emails before finalising any travel booking.

Phishing emails and text messages

One in five people have been fooled into clicking on AI-generated phishing emails, with a staggering 65% tricked into divulging personal information through input fields on websites linked in those emails. Fraudsters are utilising AI to create highly convincing phishing content disguised as legitimate companies.

Never click on dubious links, or provide sensitive information through unsolicited emails or texts. Always scrutinise the sender’s email address, and be wary of any communication that requests personal details.

If unsure, contact the airline, hotel, or travel agency directly.

AI-generated holiday reviews

Fake AI-generated reviews have surged by an astonishing 189% – last year alone, Tripadvisor flagged a record 2 million reviews as fake on its platform. With the advent of AI tools like ChatGPT, fraudsters can now generate hundreds of seemingly authentic, glowing reviews in minutes.

To dodge travel scams, savvy holidaymakers should verify reviews on various platforms instead of solely trusting travel booking sites. Real testimonials usually offer a mix of praise and constructive remarks.

Fake travel itineraries and AI-generated images

Con-artists are exploiting artificial intelligence to craft convincing travel itineraries. These may include tempting deals with unrealistic prices, bolstered by AI-created visuals depicting non-existent experiences.

After you’ve paid a deposit or in full, the harsh revelation hits: the dream holiday is a sham. Look for inconsistent information and analyse images carefully – flaws like bizarre lighting or fuzzy spots can signal AI generated images.

Christoph C Cemper, founder of AIPRM, warns: “Nowadays, nearly anything can be faked with AI… The most common form of AI scam is a phishing ‘offer’, that lures the user into providing their personal or payment details too soon/too early based on vague promises that seem too good to resist. Such impulse actions are used to harvest the data as quickly as possible, without much to do once the data is revealed.”

He continued: “If you think you have fallen victim to a scam, as painful as it is, any kind of revealed information needs to be rendered useless… locking down your credit card is the first and most simple thing to do. Contacting your bank as soon as possible is essential.”

“While reporting the incident to the police or a cyber-crime unit is recommended, it’s worth noting these reports often result in education for the victim rather than immediate resolution.”

People have taken to social media to share their experiences of travel scams. One individual posted on X: “A shocking video shared by an online driver shows a passenger’s plight after being scammed by a travel agent.

“According to the driver, the victim traveled from Kumasi to the airport, only to discover they had been duped, with no ticket or visa, despite paying a significant sum.”