Protect Your Vacation From Scammers: 10 Ways to Travel Smarter

Vacation should be about making memories, not dealing with fraud. Unfortunately, scammers know travelers are busy, distracted, and often relying on unfamiliar websites, public Wi-Fi, and payment methods. From fake booking sites to stolen card information, travel scams can quickly turn an exciting getaway into an expensive headache. 

The good news? A little preparation goes a long way. Before you pack your bags, take a few minutes to protect your finances and personal information with these travel safety tips. Travel-related fraud continues to cost consumers hundreds of millions of dollars each year, making a few simple precautions well worth the effort. 

 

1. Before You Book: Watch for Fake Travel Deals

Scammers often create convincing airline, hotel, and vacation rental websites that look almost identical to legitimate businesses. 

Before you book: 

• • Research the company by searching its name along with words like "reviews," "complaints," or "scam."
  • Double-check website URLs before entering payment information.
  • Be cautious of prices that seem much lower than everyone else.
  • Avoid anyone who insists on payment by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, or payment apps. Legitimate travel companies offer secure payment options.  

 

2. Pack Light — Especially Your Wallet

Only bring what you'll actually need. Leave these items at home:

• • Social Security card.
  • Extra credit or debit cards.
  • Checkbook.
  • Sensitive financial paperwork.

The fewer personal documents you carry, the less information a thief can access if your wallet is lost or stolen.

3. Protect Your Devices

Your phone holds far more than vacation photos. Before leaving: 

• • Turn on biometric security or a strong passcode.
  • Enable Find My Device or Find My iPhone.
  • Update your operating system.
  • Enable multi-factor authentication on important accounts. 

If your phone disappears, these steps can help protect your accounts and make recovery easier. 

4. Be Careful with Public Wi-Fi 

Free Wi-Fi is convenient, but it's not always secure. Avoid logging into: 

• • Online banking.
  • Shopping websites.
  • Payment apps.
  • Any account containing sensitive personal information.

If you need to access financial accounts, use your cellular connection or a trusted personal hotspot whenever possible. 

5. Think Before You Toss

Boarding passes, luggage tags, hotel receipts, and rental car agreements often contain personal information that scammers can use. Instead of throwing these documents away during your trip: 

• • Keep them secure until you return home.
  • Shred them when you no longer need them.
  • Delete digital copies that are no longer necessary. 

6. Watch Out for Card Skimmers

When using an ATM or fuel pump: 

• • Look for anything loose or unusual around the card reader.
  • Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
  • Use contactless payment whenever possible. 

These simple habits can help prevent criminals from capturing your card information. 

7. Don't Overshare on Social Media 

It's tempting to post vacation photos in real time, but announcing that you're away from home can also tell criminals your house is empty. 

Consider waiting until you return home before sharing your trip highlights.

8. Keep an Eye on Your Accounts  

Travel often means more purchases than usual, making it easier for fraudulent charges to go unnoticed. Check your: 

• • Debit and credit card transactions.
  • Digital wallet activity.
  • Bank account balances.

Reviewing your accounts regularly allows you to catch suspicious activity sooner rather than later. 

9. Double Check When You Get Home   

Even after vacation ends, your security checklist isn't quite finished. Take a few minutes to: 

• • Review your account statements.
  • Delete saved travel documents from your devices.
  • Shred paper documents you no longer need.
  • Report any suspicious charges immediately. 

The faster fraud is detected, the easier it is to minimize potential losses. 

10. Before You Leave: Use the 5-Minute Financial Travel Checklist from InRoads   

Before you head out on your next adventure, take a few minutes to make sure your finances are just as ready for the trip as your suitcase.

 ✓ Set up a travel plan with your financial institution. 
Having a travel plan in place with InRoads lets us know when and where you plan to be, and helps prevent your account from being flagged as fraud while you're on vacation. You can easily set this up in Digital Banking: simply navigate to Cards, tap Manage Card, then Manage Travel Plans.

✓ Turn on account alerts. 
Set up transaction alerts through Digital Banking so you'll be notified of purchases, ATM withdrawals, or other account activity while you're away.  

✓ Know how to lock your card. 
If your debit or credit card is ever misplaced, you can quickly lock it right inside Digital Banking to help prevent unauthorized purchases while you search for it. 

✓ Verify your contact information. 
Make sure your phone number and email address are up to date so we can reach you if we detect suspicious activity. 

✓ Save important phone numbers. 
Keep InRoads' contact information handy so you can quickly report a lost or stolen card or ask for assistance if something doesn't look right.  

✓ Check your accounts regularly. 
Whether you're relaxing on the beach or exploring a new city, take a moment every couple of days to review your account activity in Digital Banking. Catching suspicious transactions early can make all the difference.

 

Travel With Confidence   

A memorable vacation should be filled with great experiences, not fraud headaches. By taking a few simple precautions before you leave and staying alert while you travel, you can spend less time worrying about your finances and more time enjoying your trip.