DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — It's all fun and relaxation, until the trip you thought you booked doesn't exist. 

Waves at the Beach

"I've seen people get to Mexico and have no Airbnb they thought they booked," shared Toni McDaniles, owner of Wish Master Travel. 

McDaniles isn't the only travel agent who has dealt with scammers. 

As millions of Americans start packing their bags and purchasing airfare, local travel and financial experts are warning of scams. 

"Whenever the travel is more, the scams are more...," added McDaniles. 

Ben Austin, Chief Information Officer at Land of Lincoln Credit Union, said it can be hard to steer clear of fake vacation rentals and booking sites.

"With one click, you get taken to a scam travel site, and you put in your credit card number. Boom, there you go. You've been scammed!" said Austin. 

Common ways that hackers can trick online users are through fake listings, third party booking, and hidden fees. 

Samantha Martindale, a travel agent with Marvelous Mouse Travels, said she even warns clients of fake cruise line phone numbers. 

"Be careful of the source," Martindale added. "People have tried calling this number. They already booked a cruise and they said they owe another $500! We find out later it was a scam."

Financial experts advise using reputable sites, and obtaining extra copies of information, contracts, and receipts. Austin also encouraged travelers to purchase rentals and trips with a credit card, rather than a debit card.

"Don't trust what people say..." added Martindale. As a travel agent, she encourages travelers to double check legitimacy to make sure they are arriving to the vacation they planned. "Always do your homework."

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