By David Patterson
Fall is a favorite time to travel. The summer crowds have thinned, the weather is kinder, and your mobile phone’s camera is probably filling up with photos from a beach getaway, European adventure or weekend escape.
But before you post that beautiful sunset from your hotel balcony, think twice.
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to analyze vacation photos and social-media posts to figure out where travelers are and then use that information to create highly convincing scams.
Imagine posting a photo from a resort in the Bahamas. Later, you receive a text claiming to be from your bank: “We detected a suspicious $2,847 transaction in Nassau. Please verify your account.”
Because you’re actually in Nassau, the message suddenly feels legitimate.
AI can help scammers identify landmarks, hotel names, locations and even details visible in the background of photographs. They can combine that information with your name and other publicly available details to make their messages sound frighteningly personal.
The best defense is this: share less while you’re away.
Consider waiting until you return home to post vacation photos. Don’t publicly announce that your house is empty, and avoid sharing boarding passes, hotel confirmations, room numbers or other documents that contain personal information.
And if a message claims there’s a problem with your reservation, credit card or bank account, don’t click the link. Contact the company through its official website or app using information you find yourself.
Your vacation should create memories, not opportunities for scammers.
Take pictures this fall but don’t fall for the con. Enjoy the adventure. Just consider keeping some of those snapshots private until you’ve safely returned home.
