With the approach of summer and the end-of-year holidays, the demand for travel increases and, with her, the number of cyber attacks. According to a survey by DataSenado, 24% of Brazilians were victims of cyber crimes in the last 12 months, including frauds related to the tourism sector, such as fake travel packages and credit card cloning. São Paulo leads the states with the highest number of victims, followed by Mato Grosso and Federal District. In times of greater activity in the sector, these scams become even more frequent and sophisticated
According to a study by Kaspersky, cybersecurity company, the number of cyberattacks in Brazil increased by 38% in the first quarter of 2024. With the Black Friday promotions, the trend is that attempts at scams will intensify in the coming weeks, with the increase in demand for travel packages and online bookings
The lawyer and data protection specialist, Guilherme Guimarães, alert that tourism has become an attractive target for criminals due to the large amount of personal and financial data shared in the booking processes. Consumers are more susceptible to scams during the holiday season, when the rush to secure a good deal can lead to impulsive and careless decisions. Фальшиві сайти, "email offers and social media ads have been the main means used by scammers", explain
HOW COUPS WORK
Cyberattacks in the tourism sector occur, mainly, through fake websites that imitate large hotel chains and travel agencies. Offers with prices well below the market tend to attract victims who, upon making the payment, they realize they were deceived. Another common scam involves sending fraudulent emails with links that direct to malicious sites, where financial data is stolen
Guilherme Guimarães advises that the best way to protect oneself is by taking preventive measures, how
- Verify the authenticity of the websites: Make sure you are using an official platform, observing the URL and looking for reviews from other consumers
- Be wary of very low prices: Exaggerated discounts can be an indication of a scam
- Use secure payment methods: Prefer credit cards and choose two-step authentication systems whenever possible
- Do not click on suspicious links: Avoid accessing offers sent via email or social media without verifying their origin
To Guimarães, awareness of these risks and the adoption of safe practices are essential to prevent fraud during travel planning. With the increase in digital purchases and bookings, the consumer needs to double their attention so that their vacation does not become a financial nightmare, highlights
The specialist warns, still, that with the increasing digitalization of tourism, prevention against cyber scams has become a priority for both consumers and companies in the sector
