ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As Labor Day travel plans begin taking shape, a new analysis suggests vacation scams continue to cost New Mexicans significant amounts of money each year.
According to a report from travel and lifestyle website LocalsInsider.com, New Mexico ranks 18th in the nation for travel scam losses per capita, with residents reporting nearly $1.6 million in losses tied to vacation and travel-related fraud.
The study, which analyzed data from the Federal Trade Commission, found New Mexicans lost more than $73,500 for every 100,000 residents to travel scams.
Researchers also found the median loss per victim in New Mexico was $1,135, higher than the national median of $905.
Despite the losses, the report noted some improvement. Travel fraud losses in New Mexico decreased by 14.3% compared to the previous year.
Nationwide, however, travel-related scams continue to increase. The analysis found losses have nearly tripled since 2021, growing from $99 million to $297 million.
A separate survey conducted as part of the study found growing concern among travelers about online fraud. Researchers reported that:
- One in three Americans say scam concerns have made them more hesitant to book a leisure trip.
- Twenty-two percent say they have clicked on a travel advertisement or sponsored search result that later turned out to be fraudulent.
- Sixty percent believe artificial intelligence has made travel scams more convincing.
- Forty-one percent say concerns about scams have changed the way they book travel.
The report comes as one of the busiest travel periods of the year approaches, with millions of Americans expected to hit the road or take flights over the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Travel Scams Are Surging: The States Hit Hardest by Vacation Fraud
