Riskified Analysis: Travel Fraud Surges 32% as Fraudsters Outpace Traditional Security Signals

E-commerce fraud and risk intelligence leader Riskified has identified a sharp 32% increase in flight-related fraud risk during the month of May. For fintech professionals and travel merchants, this seasonal surge serves as a critical warning that traditional security signals are failing to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated, automated attack vectors during peak booking periods.

What was announced

Riskified has released a new analysis detailing how fraudsters are rapidly evolving their tactics to exploit the travel industry's complex booking ecosystem. The core finding is a 32% spike in fraud risk specifically targeting flight bookings in May, a month typically associated with high-volume summer vacation planning. The data suggests that legacy fraud prevention systems, which often rely on static rules and historical data, are no longer sufficient to protect high-value travel transactions.

The report highlights several specific methods currently being employed by bad actors. These include the use of automated bots to probe for vulnerabilities, the creation of synthetic identities, and a rise in account takeover (ATO) attacks. Beyond technical exploits, the analysis points to a significant increase in 'friendly fraud,' where legitimate customers dispute valid charges after the fact. Furthermore, fraudsters are increasingly targeting loyalty programs, using compromised points to book luxury travel arrangements. This multi-pronged approach allows attackers to bypass traditional security hurdles that look for simple red flags, necessitating a shift toward real-time, AI-driven risk assessment to protect airlines and travel agencies before the peak holiday travel season begins.

"Fraudsters are highly opportunistic, and the travel industry is a prime target due to the high value of transactions and the complexity of the booking process. Our analysis shows that relying on traditional signals is no longer enough; merchants need real-time, AI-driven insights to stay ahead of these evolving threats."

A representative from Riskified.

The companies involved

Riskified is a prominent player in the e-commerce fraud and risk intelligence sector, providing a platform designed to help online merchants eliminate fraud and reduce friction in the customer journey. The company operates as a standalone entity, positioning itself as a critical layer in the global digital commerce stack. By leveraging machine learning and extensive data networks, Riskified aims to distinguish between legitimate customers and bad actors with higher precision than manual review processes or basic rule-based engines.

In the broader market, Riskified has established itself as a partner for high-volume retailers and service providers who face the dual challenge of preventing financial loss while maintaining high authorization rates. The company’s focus on the travel sector is particularly relevant given the industry's reliance on thin margins and the high cost of chargebacks. As a publicly traded company, Riskified continues to expand its footprint by integrating its risk engine with various payment processors and e-commerce platforms, aiming to provide a seamless "approve/decline" decision for every transaction in real-time.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely followed Riskified’s expansion into the travel and payments sectors. We previously covered the Riskified 2026 Travel Study, which highlighted a concerning trend where security friction led to a 53% booking abandonment rate. The company has also been active in the broader retail space; we reported on how Kogan Boosts Approval Rates to 98% and Saves $1.5M Annually using their AI tools. Additionally, Riskified’s strategic moves in the fintech infrastructure space were noted in our report on the Riskified and Marqeta Partnership. We also explored consumer sentiment via a Riskified Survey regarding AI shopping agents and fraud concerns.

What this means

This data confirms that the travel industry is currently the primary laboratory for sophisticated fraud experimentation. The 32% jump in May is not just a seasonal anomaly; it is an indictment of static security rules. When fraudsters move faster than the "signals" used to catch them, the entire merchant-acquirer relationship is under pressure. Airlines and agencies that fail to modernize their risk stacks are essentially subsidizing criminal enterprises through chargebacks and lost inventory. The industry must move toward a model where identity is verified through behavior and real-time AI, rather than historical snapshots, or risk a permanent increase in the cost of doing business online.