Approximately how much do travel scams cost consumers annually?

The estimated annual cost of travel scams to consumers falls around the $12 billion mark. This figure reflects various fraudulent activities related to travel, including misleading claims about accommodations, deceptive vacation packages, and fraudulent rental listings. These scams often exploit consumers' desires for affordable vacations or unique travel experiences, leading to significant financial losses.

Understanding this figure is vital for consumers to recognize the scale of the issue and to be more vigilant when making travel-related decisions. The increasing sophistication of these scams underscores the necessity for awareness and preventative measures, such as thorough research and skepticism towards deals that seem too good to be true. By being informed, consumers can better protect themselves from falling victim to these costly frauds.