SALT LAKE CITY — Booking.com is warning travelers about a 900% increase in scams, and the BBC reports that the increase is due to artificial intelligence.
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According to ABC News, the AI ​​can craft emails that are so convincing that they trick victims into clicking a link and sending money to the scammer, thinking they're actually booking a trip.
Additionally, AI is also being used to create fake reviews and travel guides.
Some victims have said they ordered travel guidebooks from Amazon, expecting to find high-quality information, only to discover upon receiving the book that they had purchased was full of AI-generated information.
ABC News reports that this content is becoming harder to spot, as it is able to generate images and text that appear more realistic than traditional types of phishing content.
Avoid travel scams
Experts warn travellers to be especially cautious about any links or flyers they receive.
Additionally, Business Insider also offered tips on how to spot the aforementioned AI-generated travel guide.
First, read the reviews. Pay attention to the difference between a 1-star review and a 5-star review. If a critical review mentions low quality text, it may be that it was generated by AI.
During its investigation into AI-generated content and reviews, The New York Times used a browser extension called FakeSpot, which detects reviews that may have been computer-generated, according to Business Insider.
Also, pay close attention to author images: AI-generated portraits often contain deformities that might not be noticeable at first glance. Business Insider recommends looking for blurry backgrounds and strange deformities.
The Federal Trade Commission also offered advice on how to protect yourself from travel scams.
According to the FTC, the first step to avoiding scams is to know the most common methods.
Sometimes companies will approach you offering you “free” vacation time, only to later ask you to pay taxes and fees.
Scammers will be vague about the details of your trip and pressure you into making a quick decision. If you receive such a vague offer, ask for details like the hotel address, company name, etc. If they can't provide them, walk away.
Even if it is offered, do your research.
Finally, the FTC warned people to ignore anyone selling vacations via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, as websites state it's very difficult to get your money back and that it's “always a scam.”
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