Guides / Money on the road
Travel scams to know about
Fake rentals, fake booking sites and too-good deals.
Travel scams range from fake vacation rentals to lookalike booking sites. A few checks catch most of them.
Red flags
- A rental that's far cheaper than everything nearby
- A host who asks you to pay outside the platform, or by wire, gift card or payment app
- "Free vacation" calls and prize offers
- Search ads that look like an airline or hotel but aren't
- Unofficial sites charging extra for passports or visas
Safer habits
- Pay through the booking platform or with a credit card
- Type the airline or hotel website yourself
- For passports, use travel.state.gov
General educational information. Prices and rules change; check with the provider. Dime Pockets isn't paid by any airline, hotel, booking site or insurer.