Behind the Tickets and Train Stations: Common Scams and Risks + Tips on How to Stay Safe While You Travel to the Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics will draw tens of thousands of visitors to Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and surrounding Alpine venues as it soon kicks off in Italy. With high demand for tickets, accommodation, and transport, major sporting events like this also create ideal conditions for scams – both online and on the ground.

From fake tickets and accommodation to unsafe public Wi-Fi and phishing messages, travelers need to stay alert well before they arrive and throughout their trip.

Here’s What You Need to be on The Lookout For

Fake Tickets

Stick to official channels when buying tickets

Attempts to lure fans to heavily discounted ticket resellers or unofficial secondary markets are common Olympic-themed scam tactics. If you’re looking for last-minute tickets, beware of look-alike websites or fake social media ads that promise cheap tickets.

Be cautious with second-hand offers.
Avoid private transfers outside authorized resale systems — these are especially prone to fraud.

Accommodation and Local Travel Scams

Use reputable booking platforms and providers when looking up accommodation
Fake accommodation listings and bogus “Olympics travel packages” advertising bundled tickets, rooms, and transfers can lure last-minute travelers. Stick to established booking platforms with review histories and confirm reservations directly with hotels when possible.

Travel bundles can be convenient — but vet them carefully.
Some travel agencies offer ticket-plus-accommodation packages.  Be wary of pressure tactics and requests for off-platform payments.

Transportation hustles.
Unlicensed taxi operators near venues and train stations may offer unofficial rides at inflated prices. Use licensed services and apps with transparent pricing, especially when arriving late or in unfamiliar areas.

Cybersafety & Digital Hygiene for Travelers

Large international events don’t just attract tourists – they also attract cybercriminals. Making sure your devices and personal data stay secure while you’re on the move is just as important as booking the right ticket or hotel.

Public Wi-Fi: A Common Exploit Vector

Public Wi-Fi networks at airports, hotels, cafés, and fan zones are often unencrypted. Attackers can use them to intercept passwords, emails, or payment details, or to redirect users to malicious websites.

What to do:

• Turn off automatic Wi-Fi connections to avoid connecting to “evil-twin” networks.
• Use a trusted VPN to encrypt your traffic when you must connect in public places.
• Avoid accessing banking or payment apps over public networks.

A VPN is especially useful when traveling between venues, hotels, and transport hubs. Solutions like Bitdefender Premium Security, which includes unlimited VPN access, help protect your data on shared networks and reduce the risk of interception.

Secure Your Devices Before You Go

Update before you travel.
Make sure your phone, tablet, and laptop have the latest operating system and app updates installed.

Install protection in advance.
Having a cybersecurity solution installed before you leave home adds an extra layer of safety when browsing, downloading apps, or opening links related to travel and tickets. Even a basic option like Bitdefender Free Antivirus can help block malicious websites and common threats. For broader, multi-device protection while traveling, Bitdefender Premium Security offers more comprehensive coverage.

Strong authentication.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your email, travel accounts, and social media profiles.

Backup and prepare.
Back up important content and make sure account recovery options are in place in case a device is lost or stolen.

Mind Your Digital Footprint

Travel advisories often warn international visitors to be mindful of how their devices and accounts could be exposed abroad. Malware, spyware, and account-harvesting attempts tend to rise around major events, fueled by heightened travel planning and constant connectivity.

Practical steps:

• Use a password manager and unique passwords for key accounts.
• Turn off Bluetooth and location services when not needed.
• Log out of accounts when finished, especially on shared or public devices.

Additionally, don't reveal your travel plans to the world via social media posts, unless you're sure that your audience are people you personally know and trust. Sharing your itinerary, travel dates, plans and other sensitive information may bring you unwanted trouble.

Scam Detection While You’re on the Move

Scams don’t stop once you arrive.

Visitors may receive messages about ticket changes, transport delays, or accommodation issues, or see QR codes near venues that link to phishing pages. Having quick, on-the-go scam detection can help you avoid reacting under pressure.

• Bitdefender Scamio lets you check suspicious messages, links, or offers and get instant feedback on whether they’re likely to be scams.
• Bitdefender Link Checker allows you to verify URLs before clicking — especially useful when unexpected links arrive via SMS, email, or messaging apps.

These tools act as a quick second opinion when something doesn’t feel right.

Your Offline Common Sense Still Applies

• Keep physical documents, cards, and IDs secure.
• Be cautious of unsolicited emails, messages, or pop-ups referencing the Olympics or “urgent travel updates.”
• Always verify information by going directly to official websites rather than clicking links in messages.