Summer 2025 Travel Scams: How to Avoid Fake Hotel Booking Websites and Protect Your Vacation

Planning a summer getaway in 2025? We are, too.

Unfortunately, someone really wants to burst our relaxation bubble. If you’re thinking it’s scammers, you’re not wrong.

If you’re busy dreaming about new vistas and beaches, cybercrooks are busy coming up with nightmare ways to steal money and personal data, and fake hotel booking websites are among the traps to avoid this summer.  

Whether you’re a solo traveler or organizing a family holiday, learning to spot hotel booking scams is essential to making your trip stress-free.

How Hotel Booking Scams Work

You search online for a hotel in your destination city. Among the top results, you find a professional-looking website with sleek photos, attractive rates, and what seems to be a legit booking system. Everything looks above board, so you reserve your room and pay.

But after checking your bank statement, you realize something’s off:

• You’ve been charged extra “service” or “recovery” fees you didn’t authorize.
• The hotel has no record of your reservation.
• The confirmation came from a third-party site you’ve never heard of.
• You try to cancel — but either can’t reach anyone or are told your booking is non-refundable.

This type of scam is increasingly common in the summer months, when travel volumes spike and people rush to grab deals.

Real Stories of Vacation Booking Scams

According to reports collected by BBB Scam Tracker, thousands of consumers have fallen victim to lookalike hotel websites or deceptive phone reservations.

• One traveler booked two rooms for $139 each, but was charged over $220 in added fees. The website looked identical to the hotel’s official site, but wasn’t affiliated in any way.
• Another victim lost over $600 after a scammer changed the price post-booking and added hidden fees in the confirmation email. When the traveler tried to get a refund, the company delayed the process until it was too late.

How to Avoid Hotel Booking Scams in 2025

Here are 8 key ways to protect yourself from booking scams and enjoy your summer trip safely:

1. Book Directly with the Hotel or a Trusted Agency

Use the hotel’s official website or a well-known platform you’ve used before. Look closely at the URL; scammers often use domains that closely resemble legitimate ones.

2. Look for HTTPS and Security Icons

Only book through secure websites (look for https:// and a padlock symbol). Avoid entering personal or payment info on websites without encryption.

3. Watch Out for Sponsored Search Ads

Just because a site ranks high in search results doesn’t mean it’s trustworthy. Scammers can place sponsored ads to lure unsuspecting vacationers.

4. Call the Hotel to Confirm

Before booking, or if anything feels off, call the hotel directly to check if the deal is real and confirm that your reservation is valid.

5. Avoid Unusual Payment Requests

Be wary of sites or agents who ask for wire transfers, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency payments. These are big red flags.

6. Research Unknown Booking Platforms

If you haven’t heard of the site before, look for reviews from trusted sources. A professional-looking site can still be a scam.

7. Review the Cancellation Policy

Scam sites often have vague or misleading cancellation terms, making refunds nearly impossible. Legit platforms offer transparent policies.

8. Use a trusted security solution

Scammers want your money, credentials and other sensitive information. Use a dedicated security solutions from Bitdefender to fend off fraudulent links, malware and protect your privacy.

Summer Travel Safety Tip:

Use Bitdefender Scamio, a free AI-powered scam detection tool, to check suspicious links, booking sites, or email offers before you act. Or, if you want to easily scrutinize links, use Bitdefender Link Checker. A quick check can save your summer.

As you plan your summer escape in 2025, don’t let a hotel booking scam ruin your holiday. By staying alert, booking through trusted sources, and using cybersecurity tools that protect your identity and finances, you’ll travel smarter and safer.