TL;DR: Scam listings rise in the weeks before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel periods of the year, as families book flights and rentals for a hard, non-negotiable date. Book through established travel platforms with buyer protection, and be wary of any listing that seems unusually available during the industry's highest-demand week.
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Scam listings rise in the weeks before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel periods of the year, as families book flights and rentals for a hard, non-negotiable date.
How the Scam Plays Out
Fraudulent booking sites and rental listings advertise availability for the peak travel days at prices lower than anywhere else, taking payment before the buyer realizes the listing was never real.
How to Protect Yourself
Book through established travel platforms with buyer protection, and be wary of any listing that seems unusually available during the industry's highest-demand week.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Valentine's Day Romance Scams.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see Wedding Season Scams: Registry and Vendor Fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
Scam listings rise in the weeks before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel periods of the year, as families book flights and rentals for a hard, non-negotiable date.
What tactics are used?
Fraudulent booking sites and rental listings advertise availability for the peak travel days at prices lower than anywhere else, taking payment before the buyer realizes the listing was never real.
How can I protect myself?
Book through established travel platforms with buyer protection, and be wary of any listing that seems unusually available during the industry's highest-demand week.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.