Booking.com’s internet safety boss, Marnie Wilking, has issued a warning about the rise of travel scams driven by artificial intelligence (AI). According to Wilking, there has been a staggering increase of “anywhere from a 500 to a 900% increase” in travel scams over the past 18 months, with a particular surge in phishing attacks since the emergence of generative AI tools like ChatGPT.
Phishing attacks, where scammers trick individuals into handing over their financial details, often target popular travel websites like Booking.com and Airbnb. These scammers use fake but convincing internet booking links to deceive unsuspecting travelers, leaving them without a place to stay or even attempting to scam them out of more money.
Wilking emphasized the role of AI in making these scams more sophisticated and harder to detect, as AI can generate realistic images and accurate text in multiple languages. She urged hotels and travelers to use two-factor authentication as a way to combat phishing and credential stealing, and advised people to be more vigilant when clicking on links.
Despite the negative impact of AI on travel scams, Wilking also highlighted how AI technology has enabled Booking.com to swiftly identify and remove fake hotels attempting to scam users. By utilizing AI models, Booking.com can detect and block fraudulent listings before any bookings are made.
Speaking at the Collision technology conference in Toronto, Wilking’s message serves as a reminder for both businesses and consumers to stay informed and cautious in the face of evolving AI-driven scams in the travel industry.
