Ohio residents have lost more than $7 million to vacation and travel scams, according to a new analysis.
The figures are part of a national trend in which travel scam losses have nearly tripled since 2021, growing from approximately $100 million to almost $300 million last year.
A survey by LocalInsiders.com found that one in three people are now more hesitant to book a trip due to scam concerns.
The data also revealed that nearly half of respondents have changed their booking habits entirely to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Local school district delays first day of school
Flagger working in construction zone of US-33 hit, killed by car
Local city to consider resolution affirming Beaver as historic community symbol
Cania Rodriguez, a traveler from New York who frequently visits Dayton, said she travels multiple times a year to destinations including Jamaica, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
When booking, she focuses primarily on the aesthetics of her destination. "I just love to go to different countries, just learn different things, meet new people," Rodriguez said. "It's just a thrill for me."
She noted that she specifically looks for high-quality scenery when selecting accommodations. "I'm looking for the views now," she said.
"So it depends where I go and how I want to wake up."Sheri Sword, a representative with the Better Business Bureau, said scammers are capitalizing on the increased global interest in travel. "People are feeling a little bit more free to go out and about and see the world," Sword said.
"So scammers are out there to take advantage of it." According to the LocalInsiders.com survey, 60% of respondents believe artificial intelligence is making these scams more convincing.
Sword noted that scammers frequently steal photos from legitimate websites to make their fraudulent offers appear authentic. "It is absolutely easy for scammers to make their offers look real and legitimate online," Sword said.
To avoid potential fraud, experts recommend that travelers research unfamiliar agencies and book directly through a hotel or airline's official website rather than clicking on the first available deal in a search engine.
Sword emphasized the importance of verifying every platform before providing payment information. "You want to make sure that you do so safely and use trustworthy sites and locations," she said.
Sword also suggested that consumers use a credit card for all travel-related transactions because those companies provide a safety net for fraudulent purchases. "Your credit card company offers you some extra protections if you do fall for a scam or something doesn't work out just right," Sword said.
Using a credit card can provide a layer of security that other payment methods may lack if a trip does not go as planned.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]