“They are out to get you.”

That’s a phrase I never thought I’d say as a travel advisor or agency owner. But fraudsters are out there, and they’re actively targeting travel advisors in more ways than ever.

I’m a cautious person by nature. I’m suspicious when something seems too good to be true, because usually, it is. That being said, I’m also a positive person, and I don’t want this article to leave you feeling depressed or fearful. My hope is that you walk away with a healthy sense of caution and a clearer roadmap for how to protect yourself.

As an agency owner, I see so many advisors who are anxious to build their businesses. They’re afraid to push back on a potential lead or client because they don’t want to lose the sale.

Fraudsters are counting on that.

I want to share a real scenario that happened to one of our advisors.

In October 2025, one of our advisors booked a roundtrip package with air and hotel for travel in December 2025. The flights were from Tampa to Paris.

Before I share what actually happened and how our advisor was scammed, I want to walk through the red flags we saw after the fact.

• The advisor didn’t have a consultation with the “client.” Everything was handled through texting.
• The client’s address was in California, but he wanted to fly from Tampa to Paris.
• The trip was a solo trip over Christmas.
• The email address the client provided appeared to belong to a female and didn’t resemble the client’s name.

Here’s what happened.

The day after the client booked the trip and paid in full, we received a notice from the fraud department at ALG. Somehow, the client was able to pull the flight from the ALG reservation and change it from a December roundtrip flight from Tampa to Paris to a one-way flight from Ghana to New York leaving in two days. The new flight was direct with United.

We don’t know how the client was able to do this. ALG was trying to cancel it. We didn’t hear anything else until December, when we received a chargeback for $4,990.73.

The credit card used didn’t belong to the client. On the payment authorization form, he wrote his own name as the cardholder, but that wasn’t true.

So what could we have done to prevent this?

Since this happened, we’ve learned some new things. But there were also steps we could have taken from the beginning.

Always Have a Video Consultation With New Clients

Always have a video consultation with any new client. Don’t rely on texting alone.

Also, never use a client’s video link. That’s one way scammers can try to take over your computer. Use your own secure meeting link instead.

At the Travel Leaders Edge conference, we learned a few additional tricks that can help advisors spot possible fraud.

On the video call, ask the client to show their government ID on camera. If someone is trying to fake their identity using AI, it’s harder to do when they’re asked to show a physical ID on video.

AI can also be used to replace a person’s image on video. One suggestion we learned was to ask the person to hold up three fingers in front of their face. If AI is replacing the real person’s image or voice, the video may glitch.

Request Identification and Payment Verification

When working with a new client, request a copy of their government ID. If it’s a driver’s license, request both the front and back.

You may also want to request a copy of the credit card, front and back, and ask them to show the card on the video call as well.

Check with your agency about whether you have access to a service that can verify credit cards. This extra step may feel uncomfortable at first, but it can save you from a much bigger problem later.

Be Extra Careful With Anything Involving Flights

Be especially careful with bookings that include flights. In many cases, flights are what fraudsters are really trying to purchase.

That doesn’t mean every air booking is suspicious. But it does mean you need to slow down and pay attention when a new client wants to move quickly, pay in full, or book something that feels unusual.

Slow Down

Nothing is ever that urgent.

Fraudsters use urgency because they know advisors are afraid of losing a booking.

They want you to skip steps. They want you to feel rushed. They want you to think, “I need to get this done right now.”

Slow down.

Do your due diligence. Get your agency terms and conditions signed. Make sure payment authorizations are completed properly. Use any other forms your agency requires to protect yourself.

Following your process isn’t being difficult. It’s protecting your business.

Protect Your Email and Computer Too

Fraud doesn’t only happen through fake clients. You also need to be careful with the emails you receive and the links inside them.

Emails can look like they’re from someone you know. But look closely at the actual email address. The domain may be off by just one character.

Also, remember to lock your computer every time you step away.

If you accidentally click on a link that allows someone to remotely access your computer, they may wait until you’re away from your desk to take action. If you’re actively on the computer, you may see the cursor move. But if you step away and leave your computer unlocked, they can get to work while you’re gone.

If your computer is locked, they can only see the lock screen. They can’t access your files, systems, or bookings.

Final Thought

It takes time to build your business. Keep working at it. Keep serving your clients well. But don’t ignore the controls that are there to protect you.

You don’t need to be fearful. But you do need to be careful.

Protect yourself. Protect your agency. Protect your business.

*Written by: Lynne Macolini, Owner of Coasters & Castles Travel