- 62% of Australians think that AI and deepfakes make it harder to spot and avoid travel scams.
- 25% of Aussie victims lost $1,000 or more on a single travel scam.
- 30% Australians say the rise of AI and deepfakes has decreased their level of trust in planning and booking vacations.
Sydney, Aus.—May 23, 2024— McAfee Corp., a global leader in online protection, has unveiled its ‘Safer Travel Report,’ revealing insights into emerging trends and travel scam risks. The global study surveyed 6,000 adults in Australia, United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan. The research highlights Australians’ growing concerns over increasingly believable, AI-generated online scams, including deepfakes.
Travelers are planning adventures and staying aware.
According to the report, the majority of Aussies plan to travel in 2024 with 34% reporting they will travel internationally and plan to spend a significant amount of money on holiday. In fact, 38% of Australians plan to spend more money on their travels compared to last year, and they’re willing to make sacrifices to do so. Specifically, 54% will prioritise travel plans over going out to dinner, and 52% are cutting back spending on new clothes and entertainment like concerts or movies to save dollars for trips and activities.
However, this enthusiasm for travel comes with growing caution: at a time when 62% of Australians express worries about the proliferation of scams thanks to increased usage of AI and deepfakes, which makes it harder to spot and avoid scams. And 30% of Australians say their trust in the planning and booking process for their trips has decreased due to rising cybersecurity risks.
"As Australians set off in search of warmer weather or local snowy fun this winter, it's important to strike a balance between the excitement of travelling and making sure you’re cybersmart," said Tyler McGee, Head of APAC at McAfee. “Cybercriminals are opportunists who exploit travel seasons to tempt travellers with enticing offers. With the rise of AI, travel scams are becoming more sophisticated and frequent. Diligence and sound cyber hygiene are essential for Australian travellers this winter and beyond, alongside AI-powered security solutions. Doing so will help protect your travel plans from potential cyber threats both in the booking process and while you’re on holiday.”
Travellers frequently encounter scams when booking travel.
Australians’ concerns about cyber threats have merit; 21% surveyed have fallen victim to a travel-related scam, and a significant portion of these victims – 25% – have lost $1,000 or more to a single scam.
The prevalence of booking-related travel scams varies significantly by age. While 20% of Australians surveyed say they have fallen victim to a travel scam when booking, 36% of Australians aged 18-29 say the same, while just 4% of those aged 50-65.
Travellers frequently make mistakes when traveling.
Despite Aussies’ concern over data and cybersecurity when travelling, for example, 83% reported being worried about protecting their mobile phones digitally while on holiday, they frequently make common mistakes that leave them vulnerable. McAfee’s report found 40% have charged mobile phones via public USB portals, 39% don’t check Wi-Fi networks in accommodation before connecting, 32% forget to log out of streaming accounts while on vacation, and 31% post social media content while still on holiday, alerting potential criminals your home is unoccupied.
The report also found, 46% of Australians believe their personal information is less secure when connecting to Wi-Fi while abroad. Yet, Aussies are still using their phones for the following activities while away which can leave them open to scam opportunities; 65% are accessing social media, 62% are chatting with friends and family, 51% are doing online bank transfers/banking, 40% are booking trips or travel services, and 33% are streaming content online.
How to protect yourself from online travel scams
Before you travel:
- Stay Vigilant:Phishing emails and texts are a common tactic used by cybercriminals to trick travellers into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware onto their devices. Be wary of unsolicited messages claiming to be from airlines, hotels, or financial institutions, especially if they ask for personal information or prompt you to click on suspicious links. With McAfee Scam Protection, you are alerted to suspicious links in your text messages before you click.
- Look Out for Rental Scams:Do a reverse image search on the photos used in the property listing and see what comes up. Scammers sometimes use photos of actual properties that are not for rent, as well as AI-generated images. Read the property reviews. Listings with no reviews are a red flag. In addition, try to validate the site exists by checking to see whether it has been referenced in legitimate media outlets. Also, only communicate on the rental service’s platform, like VRBO or Airbnb.
- Travel Data Light: Consider using a pared down phone while on the road that only has the apps you need, such as mapping, and allows you to make calls. That way, you’re not putting all of your critical data at risk if your device is lost or stolen.
On vacation:
- Beware of Who You Trust:One of the most common social engineering threats while traveling is impersonation scams. Attackers may pose as hotel staff, tour guides, or even fellow travellers to gain access to personal information or valuable belongings. Always verify the identity of individuals before sharing any sensitive information or handing over personal belongings.
- Understand the Risks:Public networks are often unencrypted, meaning that cybercriminals can intercept data transmitted over these networks putting your information at risk of being compromised. One of the most effective ways to safeguard your data while using public Wi-Fi is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that encrypts your internet connection, creating a secure tunnel between your device and the internet.
- Travel Data Light: Consider using a pared down phone while on the road that only has the apps you need, such as mapping, and allows you to make calls. That way, you’re not putting all of your critical data at risk if your device is lost or stolen.
- Take Care When Scanning QR Codes: Plenty of restaurants place QR codes on their tables so you can order from your phone. The problem is scammers sometimes tamper with these codes to shoot victims off to scam sites. With McAfee’s Safe Browsing, you can block scam sites associated with bogus QR codes. AI technology automatically scans URLs and alerts you if it’s linked to a scam site.
- Think Before You Post: Sharing your location online in real-time or sharing details about your travel itinerary can make you a target for thieves and cybercriminals. Avoid oversharing on social media, especially when it comes to your whereabouts, and consider waiting to post travel updates until you are home.
For more information about how to better protect yourself online and learn about McAfee’s products and services, visit https://www.mcafee.com/en-au/index.html
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted by market research agency MSI Research between May 1-3, 2024. An online questionnaire was completed by a sample of 6,000 adults aged 18 to 65 and from six countries. The sample size completed per country is as follows: 1,000 respondents in the US; 1,000 respondents in the UK; 1,000 respondents in France; 1,000 respondents in Germany; 1,000 respondents in Japan; and 1,000 respondents in Australia.
For more details on the research methodology please contact mcafee@webershandwick.com.au
About McAfee
McAfee Corp. is a global leader in online protection for consumers. Focused on protecting people, not just devices, McAfee’s consumer solutions adapt to users’ needs in an always online world, empowering them to live securely through integrated, intuitive solutions that protect their families and communities with the right security at the right moment. For more information, please visit https://www.mcafee.com/en-au/index.html
