How to spot vacation scammers before they drain your wallet

Planning a summer getaway often happens in a rush—a last-minute flight deal, a beachfront rental that looks too good to pass up, and suddenly you’re booking in minutes. But that urgency is exactly what scammers count on, warns Nikita Tyirin, executive director of SberInsurance. Fraud schemes spike during vacation season, he told RIA Novosti, with fake airline sites, bogus rental listings, and messages demanding you “confirm your booking” popping up everywhere.

Tyirin points to three red flags that should make anyone pause before handing over money. First, artificial pressure: scammers push you to act fast, claiming the deal expires in minutes or another traveler is eyeing the same room. Second, prices that are wildly below market—reliable platforms usually vary by only 5-10% for the same flight, so a half-price offer is likely a trap. Third, requests to pay via personal bank card or phone number instead of through the booking platform’s secure system. Legitimate services process payments internally; paying a “private owner” directly strips you of any transaction protection.

Be wary of email or SMS attachments that claim to be from airlines or booking sites, asking you to click a link to confirm or pay a fee—those links lead to fake pages. Tyirin’s practical advice: open a separate card specifically for online purchases, and load only the exact amount you need for each payment. If scammers get that card’s details, they can’t take more than what’s on it at the time. A little caution now can save you from a ruined vacation.