Delaware and 9 Other US High Risk States Facing Serious Concern Over Holiday Travel Scams

Delaware and 9 Other US High Risk States Facing Serious Concern Over Holiday Travel Scams as fraudulent bookings, fake accommodation listings and deceptive holiday packages threaten travellers. Florida, Nevada, Colorado and Maryland feature prominently in fraud research, highlighting growing concerns about financial losses, online booking security and consumer protection nationwide.

Holiday travel scams across the United States are raising concerns for travellers, airlines, hotels and tourism businesses, with Florida, Delaware, Nevada, Washington and several other states emerging in research on fraudulent bookings, holiday accommodation scams and financial losses.

Holiday travel scams are becoming an increasingly important consumer protection issue across the United States, as fraudsters exploit demand for flights, hotels, holiday rentals and discounted travel packages. From misleading accommodation advertisements to fraudulent booking platforms, travellers face financial risks when arranging domestic and international holidays.

Research based on Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consumer complaints identifies significant differences in reported fraud across American states, with Florida, Delaware, Nevada, Colorado and Maryland appearing prominently in holiday scam risk assessments.

Meanwhile, Washington, Utah and Arizona feature in separate research examining financial losses associated with travel fraud. These findings have implications for airlines, online travel agencies, accommodation providers and destination marketing organisations seeking to maintain consumer confidence.

Although the studies use different methodologies and reporting periods, they highlight the importance of secure booking channels, transparent pricing and traveller awareness. Understanding these state-level patterns can help holidaymakers recognise suspicious offers and make more informed travel decisions.

Delaware: Highest Overall Holiday Scam Risk in the United States

Delaware leads the 2025 Cloudwards holiday scam risk assessment, recording an overall risk score of 80.95. The state also ranks first in the study’s vacation and travel fraud category.

Separate research by PasswordManager.com recorded 70 travel scam reports per million residents in Delaware.

The findings underline the importance of verifying accommodation providers, travel agencies and booking confirmations. Travellers arranging festive holidays should be particularly cautious about unusually inexpensive packages and requests for advance payments outside established booking systems.

Florida: Holiday Destination Faces Significant Travel Fraud Exposure

Florida ranks second in Cloudwards’ overall holiday scam assessment and its vacation and travel category, reflecting substantial reported consumer exposure.

The state’s tourism industry encompasses Orlando’s theme parks, Miami’s beaches, cruise departures and extensive holiday accommodation markets.

According to LocalsInsider’s 2026 travel fraud research, Florida residents reported more than $20 million in annual travel-related fraud losses.

Travellers booking resort accommodation, cruise packages or holiday rentals should confirm reservations directly with legitimate providers. Importantly, the figures measure fraud reported by residents rather than proving that fraudulent transactions originated within Florida’s tourism destinations.

Nevada: Las Vegas Tourism Highlights Booking Security Concerns

Nevada occupies third position in the Cloudwards holiday scam risk ranking, with an overall score of 59.34. It also ranks third specifically for vacation and travel scams.

Las Vegas attracts visitors for entertainment, conventions, hotel stays and seasonal celebrations, making legitimate online reservations an essential part of its tourism economy.

Fraudulent hotel advertisements, impersonated customer service representatives and misleading package promotions are potential risks travellers should recognise.

Visitors should check hotel websites carefully, confirm event tickets through authorised sellers and avoid transferring money to unverified intermediaries. The ranking indicates reported consumer risk, not misconduct by Nevada’s established tourism businesses.

Colorado: Winter Tourism and Ski Holidays Demand Booking Vigilance

Colorado ranks fourth overall in the Cloudwards assessment and fifth for vacation and travel scams.

Its winter tourism industry includes internationally recognised ski destinations such as Aspen, Vail and Breckenridge, where travellers frequently arrange accommodation, equipment hire and transport in advance.

PasswordManager.com’s FTC-based analysis recorded 59 travel scam reports per million residents and approximately $1.49 million in reported travel-related losses.

Holidaymakers should verify chalet and apartment listings, examine cancellation conditions and confirm that advertised properties are genuinely available. High-demand travel periods can create opportunities for misleading offers, particularly when customers feel pressured to secure accommodation quickly.

Maryland: Travel Fraud Adds to Wider Holiday Consumer Risks

Maryland ranks fifth overall in the Cloudwards study, with a risk score of 55.63, but places fourth in the vacation and travel scam category.

The state’s position highlights the relevance of fraudulent travel offers to consumers planning domestic holidays, overseas trips and seasonal family visits.

Travellers should remain alert to booking websites imitating recognised airline or hotel brands, unexpected payment requests and unsolicited reservation updates.

Clear communication from travel companies is particularly important when itineraries change. Consumers should independently contact providers through verified websites rather than relying on telephone numbers or payment links supplied in suspicious messages.

Virginia: Travel Scam Risk Extends Across Major Holiday Markets

Virginia ranks sixth in both Cloudwards’ overall holiday scam assessment and its vacation and travel category.

With travellers using airports, highways, hotels and short-term accommodation throughout the state, secure digital booking practices remain essential.

Fraudsters may exploit confusion surrounding reservations by sending messages that appear to come from legitimate travel providers.

Consumers should check confirmation numbers, payment receipts and cancellation terms before travelling. Airlines and accommodation businesses can support customer protection by maintaining accessible official communication channels and explaining how genuine booking notifications are delivered.

Washington: Highest Financial Loss Rate in Separate 2026 Research

Washington stands out in the July 2026 LocalsInsider study, which places the state first nationally for population-adjusted travel and timeshare fraud losses.

Residents reported approximately $9.7 million in annual losses, equivalent to more than $124,000 per 100,000 people. Reported losses increased by 54% year on year.

Washington ranks seventh overall in the earlier Cloudwards holiday scam assessment, demonstrating how financial losses and composite fraud risk produce different rankings.

For travellers, the findings reinforce the importance of secure payments, account protection and independent verification of travel-related communications.

South Carolina: Coastal Holiday Bookings Require Careful Verification

South Carolina ranks eighth overall in the Cloudwards assessment and ninth for vacation and travel scams.

Its coastal tourism destinations, including Myrtle Beach and Charleston, support substantial demand for hotels, holiday homes and leisure packages.

Travellers searching for seasonal accommodation should be aware that fraudsters can reproduce photographs and descriptions from genuine rental advertisements.

The FTC’s rental scam guidance recommends checking property addresses, confirming ownership or management details and examining rental agreements before making payments.

These precautions are particularly valuable when accommodation is advertised through unfamiliar websites or private social media accounts.

Arizona: High Financial Losses Reinforce Travel Fraud Concerns

Arizona ranks ninth in Cloudwards’ overall holiday scam assessment and seventh in its vacation and travel category.

More recent LocalsInsider research places Arizona third nationally for population-adjusted travel and timeshare fraud losses, at approximately $97,000 per 100,000 residents.

The state’s tourism industry includes Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona and the Grand Canyon, with visitors booking resorts, guided excursions and holiday accommodation.

Travellers should independently verify tour operators, confirm advertised inclusions and avoid offers that require immediate payment through difficult-to-recover methods.

The findings demonstrate that financial exposure can be substantial even where a state’s position differs between broader holiday scam rankings.

New Hampshire: Winter Recreation Creates Seasonal Booking Considerations

New Hampshire completes the Cloudwards overall top ten, although it ranks 24th specifically for vacation and travel scams.

However, PasswordManager.com’s separate analysis recorded 71 travel scam reports per million residents, illustrating differences between datasets.

The state’s winter tourism economy includes skiing, mountain accommodation and seasonal outdoor recreation.

Travellers booking cabins, ski packages or holiday rentals should confirm property details and compare advertisements against official accommodation websites.

The contrasting rankings also show why consumer fraud research requires careful interpretation: individual studies may use different categories, population adjustments and reporting periods.

Utah, Arkansas and North Carolina: Additional States Facing High Financial Losses

Beyond the leading overall holiday scam states, LocalsInsider identifies Utah, Arkansas and North Carolina among the five states experiencing the highest population-adjusted travel and timeshare fraud losses.

Utah ranks second, with approximately $105,000 in losses per 100,000 residents. Arkansas ranks fourth and recorded a 115% year-on-year increase, while North Carolina ranks fifth.

These figures highlight financial exposure beyond the states leading broader holiday scam assessments. They also demonstrate why travellers should consider fraud prevention regardless of their departure state or intended destination.

What Rising Travel Fraud Means for the US Tourism Industry

The financial implications extend beyond individual holidaymakers. LocalsInsider reports that nationwide travel-related fraud losses rose from approximately $99 million in 2021 to $297 million in 2025.

Its survey of 1,005 American adults found that 34% had become more hesitant to book leisure travel because of scam concerns. LOCALS Insider

For airlines, hotels, cruise operators and online travel agencies, consumer confidence increasingly depends on reliable booking technology, transparent communication and effective fraud prevention.

The Federal Trade Commission advises travellers to verify company websites, research unfamiliar providers and avoid payment demands involving gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers. Suspicious activity can be reported through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Holiday travel scams remain a significant concern across Delaware and nine other high-risk US states, reinforcing the importance of secure bookings and traveller awareness. As fraudsters exploit seasonal demand, stronger consumer safeguards, verified travel providers and transparent payment practices will be essential to protecting holidaymakers and maintaining tourism confidence.

“Holiday travel should bring excitement, discovery and memorable experiences, not financial uncertainty. The growing concern surrounding travel scams across Delaware and other US states highlights why consumer awareness and responsible tourism practices matter more than ever. Travellers must prioritise verified booking platforms, transparent pricing and trusted travel partners when planning their journeys. At the same time, airlines, hotels, travel agencies and tourism authorities have an important responsibility to strengthen digital security and build public confidence. By promoting accurate information, proactive fraud prevention and industry collaboration, we can create a safer, more reliable and rewarding travel environment for everyone.”

— Anup Kumar Keshan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Travel And Tour World

Secure Travel Bookings Remain Essential Across US States

Holiday travel fraud remains a nationwide consumer protection challenge, although its reported impact differs considerably between states. Delaware, Florida and Nevada feature prominently in holiday scam risk assessments, while Washington, Utah and Arizona report particularly high population-adjusted financial losses. These findings do not establish that the states themselves are inherently unsafe destinations; rather, they reveal patterns in complaints and losses reported by residents. As travellers arrange flights, hotels, cruises and holiday accommodation, verifying providers and using secure payment channels remain essential precautions. For the wider tourism industry, strengthening digital security, communicating transparently and responding promptly to suspicious activity will help protect travellers and sustain confidence in holiday bookings.

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