That “Vacation Confirmation” Might Be a Scam — Don’t Let It Hijack Your Business

Summer Travel Scams Are Back — Here's How to Spot Them Before They Wreck Your Wallet (or Your Network)

As vacation season kicks off, cybercriminals are going on a trip of their own—straight into your inbox. A wave of travel-themed phishing scams is targeting individuals and businesses alike, using fake hotel bookings, airline changes, and rental confirmations to trick even the most experienced travelers.

But the damage goes beyond personal data. If your business handles travel planning or expense management, one wrong click from a team member could compromise your finances, data, and network.

Here’s what to watch out for—and how to protect your team.

The Scam: How It Works

A Suspicious Booking Confirmation Arrives
The email looks legitimate, branded like it’s from Delta, Expedia, or Marriott. It includes:

• Official logos
• Realistic formatting
• Urgent subject lines like: "Your Trip Has Been Confirmed!" "Flight Itinerary Updated – Action Required"

You Click The Link
It directs you to a fake website that mimics the travel provider’s portal. You’re asked to log in, update payment info, or download an itinerary.

The Hack Happens

• Login credentials are harvested.
• Credit card information is stolen.
• Malware is downloaded to your device—and potentially your business network.

Why It’s So Effective

• It looks real: Clean branding and familiar wording.
• It creates panic: Nobody wants their travel plans disrupted.
• It hits at the worst time: People are distracted during peak vacation planning.

The Business Risk

If your team handles corporate travel, beware:

Admins, executive assistants, or travel managers may process dozens of confirmations a week.

A single phishing email slipping through could compromise:

• Company credit cards
• Corporate travel portals
• Your internal systems via malware

How To Protect Your Business

• Go direct. Always check bookings by visiting the official site—not clicking email links.
• Scrutinize sender addresses. (e.g., “@marriott-booking.co” ≠ “@marriott.com”)
• Train your team—especially those handling travel or expense reports.
• Enable MFA across all travel and finance accounts.
• Strengthen your email security filters to block risky links and attachments.

Don’t Let Vacation Season Be Open Season for Hackers

A single spoofed email can cost more than a trip to Europe. Want to know how vulnerable your systems are to phishing scams like this?

Let’s talk. Our free cybersecurity checkup will identify weak spots, train your team, and keep your company protected while you (safely) book that trip. Schedule today!