Summer travel scams warning issued

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — As families across Idaho prepare for the summer vacation season, Idaho Attorney General has issued a warning to be on the lookout for travel scams.

According to the Attorney General's Office, scammers often create fake online advertisements that mimic airlines, hotels and travel booking websites in an attempt to steal personal and financial information.

They also warn that some scams direct travelers to fraudulent customer service phone numbers or booking websites designed to appear legitimate.

"Scammers count on vacation excitement to cloud your judgment, and they're getting more sophisticated every year," Attorney General Raúl Labrador said. "A fake ad, a phishing text, or a too-good-to-be-true deal can drain your account before your trip ever starts."

The Attorney General's Office is also warning travelers about text message scams claiming they owe unpaid tolls or traffic fines. Residents are encouraged to verify any payment request directly with the agency involved rather than clicking links included in unsolicited messages.

How to stay safe

Consumer protection officials recommend researching travel companies before booking, reading refund policies carefully and avoiding payment methods such as wire transfers, gift cards, payment apps or cryptocurrency when possible.

The office says requests for payment through those methods are often red flags for fraud because recovering lost money can be difficult or impossible.

Idahoans are also encouraged to be skeptical of travel deals that seem significantly cheaper than similar offers.

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a travel scam can report it through the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division