Friday, July 11, 2025
Tourists travelling in the US and Canada face a new battleground where danger doesn’t always look like danger. Lurking behind glossy websites and friendly voices are AI scams, ready to snatch personal details and money in seconds. Meanwhile, visa misrepresentation traps travellers in webs of fake paperwork, promising smooth entries that end in chaos. Fraudulent vacation packages sparkle with incredible deals but vanish like mist, leaving dreams—and wallets—empty. And then there’s juice jacking, a silent predator waiting in public charging stations to drain more than just your battery.
However, travelers aren’t powerless. Knowledge is the best weapon. But what exactly should you watch for? How can you spot a scam before it strikes? The world of travel has changed, and it’s time to see what lies beneath the surface. Stay with us as we dive deep into the threats every traveller must know—and how to stay safe on the road.
Travellers crave new horizons, hidden gems, and unforgettable adventures. Yet as tourism surges across the U.S. and Canada, a darker reality shadows every boarding pass and vacation itinerary. Behind the glossy images of beaches and skylines lurks an evolving ecosystem of scams, powered by advanced technology and ruthless cunning. From fake booking sites to deepfake phone calls, scammers are turning wanderlust into a lucrative trap. The stakes are high—and growing. As travel rebounds to historic levels, so does the creativity and audacity of those looking to exploit it.
AI Scams: Digital Trickery with Devastating Cost
A decade ago, travel scams were mostly low-tech. Think shady street vendors or “too-good-to-be-true” hotel deals. In 2025, however, artificial intelligence has weaponized deception.
Cybercriminals now deploy AI-generated fake booking websites that mirror legitimate travel brands in design, logos, and even customer reviews. These sophisticated doppelgängers lure travelers searching for discounts on flights, hotels, or car rentals.
Once victims enter credit card numbers or personal details, the fraudsters vanish—often leaving the traveler with a canceled trip or unexpected charges.
Meanwhile, the same technology fuels new phishing tactics. Scammers craft hyper-personalized emails pretending to be reputable airlines or tourism boards. A single click can siphon bank details, install malware, or redirect travelers to clone sites.
The Terrifying Rise of Voice Cloning Scams
Equally chilling is the explosion of AI voice-cloning fraud.
Earlier this year, law enforcement dismantled a cross-border ring that stole over $30 million from U.S. seniors using deepfake voice technology. Scammers called unsuspecting grandparents, mimicking the exact voices of their grandchildren pleading for emergency funds. In some cases, fake lawyers or police officers joined the calls, heightening the emotional pressure.
Payments were then collected via couriers posing as legal representatives. The ringleader, a Canadian national, was arrested after a months-long investigation by the RCMP and U.S. Homeland Security.
This isn’t just a senior citizen problem. Hotels, airlines, and tour operators also face voice-cloning scams where criminals pretend to be managers demanding urgent wire transfers or system “fixes.” Staff, caught off guard, sometimes comply before realizing they’ve been duped.
Such schemes highlight a terrifying reality: the human voice—once a trusted sign of authenticity—can now be weaponized.
Street Scams: Old Tricks Still Thrive
Not all scams require advanced technology. In tourist hotspots like New York City, Toronto, and Vancouver, classic street-level cons continue to thrive.
Friendly strangers offer unsolicited help, stage fake charity drives, or drop “lost” items like rings to create a scene. While one scammer distracts the traveler, an accomplice stealthily lifts wallets, passports, or cameras.
Fake currency exchanges remain common, particularly near attractions or transportation hubs. Unsuspecting tourists get counterfeit bills or receive significantly worse rates than official outlets.
These scams rarely make headlines but collectively siphon millions from travelers each year, leaving victims stranded or dealing with complicated embassy paperwork to replace stolen documents.
Vacation Packages and Timeshare Troubles
Another persistent threat comes in the shape of fraudulent vacation packages and timeshare schemes.
Scammers cold-call or email victims with promises of free trips or luxury getaways at unbeatable prices. Hidden within the glossy offers are hidden fees, aggressive upselling, or contracts loaded with fine print that’s impossible to escape.
The Better Business Bureau reported over 9,400 cases linked to travel, vacation, and timeshare scams in 2025 alone. Some travelers have lost tens of thousands of dollars, paying “exit fees” to escape timeshare contracts—only to discover the companies disappeared with their money.
These scams prey on a powerful emotion: the dream of luxury travel without the luxury price. For some victims, the emotional fallout hurts even more than the financial loss.
Digital Traps: Wi-Fi and Juice Jacking
As travelers juggle smartphones, digital boarding passes, and remote work, cyber risks are rising fast.
Hackers set up rogue Wi-Fi hotspots in airports, hotels, and cafés. The network names look legitimate—“Airport_Free_WiFi” or “CoffeeShop_Guest”—but connecting can expose devices to malware or data theft.
Similarly, public USB charging stations carry hidden risks. Cybercriminals modify these ports to install malicious software or steal private data—a scam known as “juice jacking.”
Experts urge travelers to carry personal power banks and to use VPNs when connecting to unfamiliar networks. The conveniences of modern travel often come with unseen costs.
Visa Scams and Official Impersonators
Another growing concern involves fake visa or travel authorization services.
Criminals set up spoof websites that closely mimic official government portals for programs like the U.S. ESTA or Canada’s eTA. Travelers, believing they’re on a legitimate site, pay inflated fees or surrender sensitive personal information.
These fake portals often feature nearly identical logos, official-sounding language, and even customer support numbers. Victims frequently don’t realize they’ve been scammed until border authorities deny them entry or flag suspicious documents.
Even legitimate documents like indigenous-issued passports, such as Haudenosaunee travel papers, sometimes become tangled in conspiracy narratives. While culturally significant, these documents often aren’t accepted for crossing international borders, causing confusion and fueling misinformation.
Impact: Dollars Lost and Trust Eroded
The financial toll is staggering. In 2023, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission logged over $122 million lost to travel scams. Canadian figures are equally grim: the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported more than $569 million in losses to fraud last year, much of it linked to travel scams.
Moreover, about 30% of Canadians say they’ve been targeted by travel scams recently. For both nations, these crimes erode public trust in the travel industry at a time when tourism is crucial for economic recovery.
Hotels, airlines, and tourism boards are responding with bigger cybersecurity budgets, staff training, and public awareness campaigns. Yet for many businesses, every dollar spent fighting fraud is a dollar diverted from marketing, innovation, or guest experience.
Travel Smart: Steps to Protect Yourself
Despite the alarming numbers, travelers don’t have to give up on their dream adventures. Experts recommend practical steps:
- Book directly through official airline, hotel, or tour operator websites.
- Use credit cards for travel payments—never wire transfers or crypto.
- Be skeptical of unsolicited calls or emails, especially those demanding urgent payment.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions; use a VPN.
- Double-check website URLs, looking for minor spelling changes that hint at fake domains.
- Report scams quickly to the FTC in the U.S. or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Travel remains one of life’s greatest joys—a gateway to new cultures, friendships, and memories. But as scammers evolve, vigilance must travel with us. Staying informed and cautious can ensure that every journey remains as safe as it is unforgettable.
