13 Travel Scams to Avoid and Stay Protected

12. Prize, Giveaway and Booking Confirmation Scams

What it is: You receive an email or social message claiming you’ve won a trip but must pay taxes, handling fees, or transfer money to claim it. Other scams send fake booking confirmations to make you think your reservation is valid while asking for an extra payment to "release" it. How they work: Scammers spoof legitimate companies and create convincing emails or web pages. They pressure you to act fast and ask for payments through wire transfers or gift cards that are hard to trace. Once paid, the contact goes dark. Prevention steps: Treat unexpected winnings skeptically—legitimate sweepstakes never ask for money to claim a prize. Verify any confirmation by logging into your account directly on the company’s official site or by calling the company using a known phone number. Never pay "taxes" or fees with gift cards or wire transfers. Where to report: Report phishing and prize scams to the FTC and to the company being impersonated. If you lost money, notify your bank and local police.