Whether you're planning travel itineraries with ChatGPT or finding better booking rates with Claude, the past few years have seen AI rightfully earn its place as a valuable tool for holidaymakers. 

However, for all of its practical use cases, there have similarly been reports of the technology being used to scam tourists.

From fake hotel sites to forged claims of damage, there are numerous ways in which artificial intelligence can be used to deceive honest people. 

And as the technology continues to grow and advance, more nefarious tricks are emerging.

The latest development involves fraudsters using artificial intelligence to figure out where tourists went on holiday from images shared on social media, and then use this information to create more realistic scams.

So how best to defend yourself against AI travel scams? Read on to find out the deceitful tricks to look out for, and how best to protect your holiday and hard-earned cash.

Scammers are now reportedly using AI to locate exactly where holidaymakers have been based on the snaps they have posted online, The Telegraph reports. 

Then, they wait for travellers to return home before sending a text message or email pretending to be from the bank.

The message alerts them that their card has been 'compromised' in the location they have just returned from, making it seem more realistic. 

How to avoid: Check the sender's number or email address carefully and make sure it matches previous official communication. Contact your bank directly if unsure. 

Recently, an Airbnb guest was wrongly charged £4,300 for damage they had not caused, after the host used AI-generated images to create fraudulent claims. 

After the matter was resolved, the booking platform apologised and began a review of its systems to prevent future incidents. 

How to avoid: Take photographs before and after you check out so you can track any damage that already existed, and prove you didn't add to it.

Post Office Travel Insurance identified that scammers are using AI voice‑cloning technology to impersonate a travel agent or loved one to get cash. 

Tell-tale signs include unnatural pauses in conversation, high‑pressure tactics, requests for immediate payment or changes to banking details.

Adam Edinburgh, head of Post Office travel and new products, commented: 'The way scams work has changed from classic street cons with digital deception, from fake booking pages to AI‑cloned voices. Awareness is your first defence: pause before you pay, verify through official channels and be sceptical of unsolicited 'help'.

'If something still goes wrong, having travel insurance protects you against theft, fraud and trip disruption, covering lost money, passports and valuables if you're pickpocketed or scammed.

'If fake accommodation or missing documents leave you stranded, 24/7 assistance can help with replacements and new travel plans.'

How to avoid: Be sure to verify credentials through official websites, confirmed phone numbers, or multiple channels before sending money anywhere. 

Fraudsters are now using AI to write fake reviews for hotels – so don't be too surprised if your accommodation doesn't live up to your expectations.

The tech is being used to generate dozens in a matter of seconds.

How to avoid: Don't rely on AI-generated summaries of reviews and look at a range of different sources to get a more accurate picture. 

While phishing emails have been deployed by cyber criminals for some time now, these deceptive messages are becoming even harder to spot as a result of the involvement of AI.

The technology is being used to impersonate hotels and airlines, often directing recipients to a website that asks for their password. 

Scammers then use this information to steal the account.  

How to avoid: Look out for discrepancies in email addresses, such as misplaced letters and errors.