Bank Holiday Fraud: Experts reveal how to spot AI scams
As the May Bank Holiday weekend quickly approaches, many people may be booking day trips, last minute staycations or spontaneous trips away within the UK and abroad.
However, recent reports have revealed that there were 6,640 reports of fraud related to holiday bookings in 2023, making it important for consumers to be aware of the potential risks when booking airline tickets fly and vacation online.
With this in mind, experts at have compiled the top AI scams to watch out for this year, as well as tips on what warning signs to look out for and how to avoid them.
Common AI scams to watch out for this holiday weekend
- AI-generated website
A key danger to be aware of when searching this Bank Holiday is AI-generated websites. They can be created by scammers, who use AI to create fake websites that can lure customers into providing their banking details to secure the location chosen for their location. their rest.
Links to these websites may also be sent to consumers via email or social media, and discounted prices may be offered to attract them. Therefore, we always recommend using well-known, reputable websites, such as www.expedia.com, with full protection and company credentials.
- List and review of fake AI
When using reputable websites, scammers can still advertise fake listings of holidays and hotels. An important feature to note during this bank holiday is that these will often redirect you to pay for time spent away from the official site. Therefore, you should stay away from any advertised accommodation that prompts you to pay outside the official website or requires a bank transfer.
If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a listing, always check the quantity and quality of the reviews, as scammers can also use AI to write fake reviews for fake listings their.
Fraudsters can also use AI to advertise fake flight prices or use third-party websites to offer cheaper prices. Once you buy from these sites, you may never receive your tickets. Make sure to use well-known companies that you’ve heard of, and look for logos that are authentic.
- AI phishing attempts and unsolicited social media transactions
Links to AI-generated fake websites or general phishing links may also be sent to consumers via email or social media, and discounted prices may be offered to attract consumers. use. If you receive any emails of this type during the bank holiday weekend, remember to think twice before clicking on links, as phishing attempts like these can also lead to fraud and theft financial theft. Some links may even be disguised as the name of a famous company.
- AI-generated images / Deep fakes
AI can be used to create fake images, known as deep fakes, which can be used as part of false advertising about an activity or day trip. Not only does this leave you paying for a falsely advertised event, but the event may not even exist.
If you are in doubt and want to examine the image for signs of AI, zoom in for a closer analysis. Signs like stray pixels, misplaced shapes, or strange borders can be big telltale signs of AI imagery and will be easier to see this way.
With expert commentary on identifying AI scams when booking travel online, as well as what to do if you think you’ve fallen victim to an AI scam:
“I believe that (a false sense of) urgency, no matter how well explained (innovative use of AI) is still the top warning sign for any type of scam, including all kinds of trip/holiday booking scams These days, everything can be faked using AI, so if it is; ‘too’ well written, ‘too’ good to be true in words suggested, or ‘too pretty’ in pictures, then I will be especially careful.
“The most common form of AI fraud is fraudulent ‘offers’, luring users into providing their personal or payment information too soon/too soon based on vague and ‘too good’ promises. to come true’. Such impulsive actions are used to collect data as quickly as possible without having to do much when the data is disclosed /police have been busy for months due to an identity theft that the victim has trouble even remembering happened.
“If you think you have become a victim of a scam, then painfully, any kind of information released must become useless. You can hardly move to another place, so Fake e-commerce orders can still happen, but blocking your credit card is the first and simplest thing to do, leading to many future billing errors for legitimate services you used that card. That means contact your bank as soon as possible.
“Contacting the police or special ‘cybercrime’ departments is always recommended, but there don’t seem to be many cases that result in real help beyond victim education.”