The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has released a new member-exclusive Industry Brief addressing the growing scale and sophistication of fraud schemes affecting the travel industry. The document catalogs tactics circulating in the marketplace, from stolen payment information and client and supplier impersonation to credential theft, business email compromise and manipulation of agency onboarding and verification processes.
Artificial intelligence is accelerating the problem, according to the brief, which found that fraudsters are using the technology to produce more convincing phishing messages, cloned voices, deepfakes and synthetic identities. “Fraud is becoming more sophisticated, more scalable and more difficult to detect, particularly as criminals use artificial intelligence to exploit trust and create a false sense of urgency,” said ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby, in a press statement. “Travel advisors need strong systems, clear verification procedures and current information to protect their businesses and their clients. This Industry Brief gives our members practical steps they can take now while reinforcing the value of working with a trusted travel professional.”
ASTA Watchdog
Beyond the immediate loss of funds, ASTA’s analysis points to a wider set of consequences for agencies caught up in these schemes, including chargebacks, debit memos, exposure of client data, reputational harm and the staff hours needed to investigate and resolve each incident.
To help agencies reduce that exposure, the brief lays out a series of defensive measures: tightening account security, adopting multi-factor authentication, setting clear payment verification protocols, training staff to spot warning signs, monitoring accounts for unusual activity, safeguarding client data and putting an incident response plan in place before an attack occurs.
Agencies operate in a fast-moving, connected environment built on trust and high-value transactions, which makes them appealing targets for fraud. According to ASTA, the guidance is meant to help members recognize emerging threats early and respond before they cause financial or operational harm.
The organization also noted that agencies serve as a line of defense for travelers, many of whom encounter fake booking websites, fraudulent visa services and criminals posing as travel professionals.
For more information, visit asta.org.
