How to avoid being scammed when planning and booking your next trip.
The peak of the tourist season and the holidays are the favorite time for scammers. While you are resting, they work tirelessly. Especially on the Internet.
While traditional thieves need your presence, cybercriminals just need to get their hands on your data. They are aimed at you even before the flight – when you plan and pay for the trip.
To avoid falling into their trap, here are some expert tips to make your trip easier and cheaper. Remember the scam you should pay attention to, how it works, and how to protect yourself.
How it works
Wanting to save on a ticket, users turn to popular Internet search engines. Having found the best offer on one of the sites, they share their data: phone number and payment details. Using this information, scammers book a seat on board, which is easy to check on the airline’s website. But there is one thing: a booked ticket does not mean that the ticket has been redeemed. So, a deceived passenger the day before the flight, in an attempt to check in for the flight, realizes that he was left without a ticket and money.
How to avoid cheating
First, use the wisdom that will serve you well in any scenario: if the deal is too good, then something is wrong.
- Do not pay until you see the confirmation number or e-ticket number. Everything else can be just a booking, not a confirmed ticket.
- Book directly from the airline’s website to be on the safe side. The price may not be the cheapest, but you can earn frequent flyer points.
- If in doubt, please contact the airline’s customer service directly.
- Don’t go to travel agency booking sites. Make sure the ticket is confirmed and not just booked.
But even if everything is fine with the plane ticket, you should not relax at the airport.