McAfee’s ‘Safer Summer Travel Report’ Reveals Over 25% of Americans Affected by Travel Scams

McAfee Corp., a global leader in online protection, today unveiled its ‘Safer Summer Travel Report,’ along with the Top 10 ‘Riskiest’ Destinations scammers exploit to lead travelers to malware or risky online sites where they could be scammed. The report unpacks insights on emerging trends and scam risks in summer travel, and highlights Americans’ growing concerns over increasingly believable, AI-generated online scams, including deepfakes. The global study surveyed 6,000 adults in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, and Japan.

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Travelers are planning adventures and staying aware.

According to the report, a vast majority (85%) of Americans are gearing up for travel in 2024 and are willing to splurge more than in previous years. In fact, 45% of people plan to spend more on their vacations compared to last year, and they’re willing to make sacrifices to prioritize travel. Specifically, 43% of Americans will cut back their spending on entertainment like concerts or movies, and 40% will prioritize leisure travel plans over going out to dinner.

However, this enthusiasm for travel comes with growing caution: at a time when 57% of Americans express worries about the proliferation of scams thanks to AI and deepfakes, a third (34%) of Americans say their trust in planning and booking vacations has decreased. Further, they’ve noted that the increasing prevalence of AI and deepfakes makes it more difficult to recognize and avoid scams. This trend points to the need for vigilance as cybercrooks use more sophisticated tactics to exploit travelers.

"As Americans gear up for summer travel, it's important to strike a balance between the excitement of planning and the need for caution," said Abhishek Karnik, McAfee Head of Threat Intelligence Research. "Cybercriminals are opportunists and they exploit this peak season to tempt travelers with enticing offers. With the rise of AI, these scams have become more sophisticated and frequent. We urge travelers to maintain sound cyber hygiene, think twice before clicking on a deal that seems too good to be true, and utilize advanced AI-powered security solutions. Doing so will help protect consumers’ vacation plans from potential cyber threats and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience."