Too Good to Be True? Why That Travel Confirmation Email Might Be a Trap

Are you planning a vacation soon? Or maybe a work trip? If so, keep an eye on your inbox—scammers are getting sneaky, and they’re using fake travel emails to steal your money.

These scam emails might look like they came from a real airline, hotel, or booking site—but they’re fakes. And if you click without thinking, you could give cybercriminals access to your personal or business accounts.

Even people who know their way around technology are falling for these tricks.

How the Scam Works

Step 1: You Get a Fake Confirmation Email

It looks like it came from a legit company—Expedia, Delta, Marriott, you name it. The email uses real logos, official-sounding language, and urgent subject lines like:

• “Your Hotel Booking Has Been Confirmed!”
• “Urgent: Flight Change Notification”
• “Action Required: Complete Your Reservation”

You think, “Wait—I didn’t book this,” or “What changed?” and your instinct is to click.

Step 2: You Click the Link

Now you’re on a website that looks real. It may prompt you to sign in, enter your payment details, or access your trip information. But it’s not a real site—it’s a fake page made to steal your info.

Step 3: The Damage Is Done

Once you enter your login or credit card info, the scammers now have it. If the link had a virus or malware, your device might be infected. That can lead to even more problems like stolen data or hacked accounts.

Why This Scam Works So Well

• It looks real. The emails and websites copy the look and feel of actual travel companies.

• It creates panic. If you think your flight got canceled or your hotel booking has a problem, you’ll want to fix it right away—without stopping to think.

• You’re distracted. If you’re at work or rushing through emails, you might click without noticing anything strange.

A Bigger Threat for Businesses

This scam isn’t just a problem for personal travel—it’s a big risk for businesses too. If someone at your company handles travel planning (like an assistant or office manager), they might get hit by one of these fake emails.

Just a single click could open the door to serious trouble for your business:

• Lose money through credit card fraud

• Have travel account logins stolen

• Accidentally download malware onto the company network

How To Stay Safe (Without Killing the Vacation Vibes)

Here’s how to protect yourself and your team:

✔ Don’t click links in emails. A safer move is to manually enter the travel company’s website into your browser, rather than clicking links from the email.

✔ Double-check the sender’s email. Scammers use email addresses that look close but aren’t quite right, like @deltacom.com instead of @delta.com.

✔ Train your team. Anyone who books travel should know how to spot fake emails and stay alert.

✔ Use multi-factor authentication (MFA). It creates an extra layer of security—usually by requiring you to enter a one-time code sent to your phone or email before you can log in.

✔ Secure your business email. Make sure your email system filters out phishing scams and dangerous links before they land in your inbox. Read more about Business Email Compromise.

Don’t Let a Fake Email Wreck Your Trip—or Your Business

Cybercriminals are smart. They know when people are most distracted—and vacation season is the perfect time to strike.

If you or your team books travel, handles reservations, or manages expenses, you’re a target. But with a little awareness and the right precautions, you can stay one step ahead.

So go ahead—plan that trip. Just don’t let a fake email ruin it before you even pack your bags.

Need help securing your business from these kinds of scams? Let’s talk before scammers do.