13 Travel Scams to Avoid and Stay Protected

7. Public Wi-Fi, Phishing and Charging Scams

What it is: Fake Wi-Fi hotspots and malicious public chargers can harvest passwords and data. Phishing emails and texts impersonate airlines, hotels or banks to trick you into entering credentials. These digital scams can quietly expose accounts and payment details. How they work: A scammer sets up a free Wi-Fi name that looks like the café or hotel network. Once connected, some attacks intercept data or ask you to log in to a fake portal. "Juice jacking" uses USB ports to transfer malware instead of power. Phishing messages pressure you to click links about "urgent" bookings or refund issues. Prevention steps: Use a trusted VPN on public networks and confirm network names with staff. Avoid logging into banking or booking sites on public Wi-Fi. Carry your own charger or use AC outlets rather than public USB ports. Inspect emails for misspellings or odd sender addresses and never enter passwords from an emailed link—type the company website manually. Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts. Where to report: Report phishing emails to the company being impersonated and forward phishing to the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov). For serious data theft, notify your bank and local police.