$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
WiFi and hotspot scams/WiFi network
hotel WiFi phishing scam
A fake hotel WiFi login page mimics the hotel's branding and asks for your room number, name, and credit card to provide internet access, stealing your payment information.
“WiFi scam”
↑ 165%Key indicators
Usually targetsTravelers
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
An attacker near the hotel broadcasts a WiFi network matching the hotel's name.
2
The fake captive portal mimics the hotel's branding and requests room number, name, and credit card details.
3
The attacker harvests the payment information and may also intercept browsing data from connected guests.
What to do first
Verify the exact WiFi network name and login procedure at the front desk before connecting.
Related terms
hotel hotspot scamfake hotel captive portalhotel WiFi credit card scamWiFi and hotspot scamsWiFi networkRisingTravelersBusiness travelersRemote workersFreelancers and contractorsTech workers and developersRemote workers and job seekersUnited StatesUnited KingdomFrancehotel hotspot scamfake hotel captive portal
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Sofia, 35, a travelers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate wifi and hotspot scams situation while using WiFi network. An attacker near the hotel broadcasts a WiFi network matching the hotel's name.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The fake captive portal mimics the hotel's branding and requests room number, name, and credit card details.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The attacker harvests the payment information and may also intercept browsing data from connected guests.
The outcome
Sofia realized something was wrong when the wifi login page asks for credit card details when the hotel advertises free wifi. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify the exact WiFi network name and login procedure at the front desk before connecting. Sofia's experience shows why the wifi login page asks for credit card details when the hotel advertises free wifi and multiple networks appear with the hotel's name but slightly different formatting are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- The WiFi login page asks for credit card details when the hotel advertises free WiFi
- Multiple networks appear with the hotel's name but slightly different formatting
- The login page URL does not match the hotel chain's official domain
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Verify the exact WiFi network name and login procedure at the front desk before connecting.
- ✓If the hotel offers free WiFi, be suspicious of any login page requesting credit card information.
- ✓Use your mobile data or a personal hotspot for sensitive tasks like banking while traveling.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has issued advisories warning travelers about fake hotel WiFi networks designed to steal personal information.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Verify the exact WiFi network name and login procedure at the front desk before connecting.
- ✓If the hotel offers free WiFi, be suspicious of any login page requesting credit card information.
- ✓Use your mobile data or a personal hotspot for sensitive tasks like banking while traveling.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has issued advisories warning travelers about fake hotel WiFi networks designed to steal personal information.
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Travelers, Business travelers, Remote workers
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, France, Japan
Primary channel
WiFi network — WiFi and hotspot scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Travelers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has issued advisories warning travelers about fake hotel WiFi networks designed to steal personal information.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about hotel wifi phishing scam
How does the hotel wifi phishing scam work?+
An attacker near the hotel broadcasts a WiFi network matching the hotel's name. The fake captive portal mimics the hotel's branding and requests room number, name, and credit card details. The attacker harvests the payment information and may also intercept browsing data from connected guests.
What are the warning signs of hotel wifi phishing scam?+
The WiFi login page asks for credit card details when the hotel advertises free WiFi Multiple networks appear with the hotel's name but slightly different formatting The login page URL does not match the hotel chain's official domain
What should I do if I encounter hotel wifi phishing scam?+
Verify the exact WiFi network name and login procedure at the front desk before connecting. If the hotel offers free WiFi, be suspicious of any login page requesting credit card information. Use your mobile data or a personal hotspot for sensitive tasks like banking while traveling.
Who is most at risk for hotel wifi phishing scam?+
This scam primarily targets Travelers, Business travelers, Remote workers. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, France, Japan and typically appears on WiFi network.
Is hotel wifi phishing scam on the rise?+
hotel WiFi phishing scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, FR, JP. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.