Traveler Alert: The Latest Airline Scams To Avoid

We all know to watch out for pickpockets while traveling abroad, but thieves and cons are getting smarter and more technical. You might be surprised by how formal and official-looking crooks can make their online airline scams.

Since it’s not the typical troubles you already know to look out for, we’ve gathered the inside scoop on how you can avoid these new scams, savvy traveler. Check out the top three problems regarding online airline scams: trick WiFi hotspots, creative credit card scams and devious social media schemes. Read on to get the details so you’re up to date on the newest airline scams to avoid.

Trick WiFi Hotspots

Sometimes called double hotspots or twin hotspots, an identity thief can now set up a WiFi hotspot and name it whatever they want, including trick names that look official. If you’re at an airport, be sure to ask what their WiFi network is called.

A trick hotspot will look just like the network you’re supposed to be on, but is just slightly different. For example, you might see SanFranciscoAirport as an open network that doesn’t need a password. You should be accessing the Internet through a network called #SFO FREE WIFI. If you don’t know which is right, you may log in to the thief’s network, where your information can be skimmed and stolen.

Please note: This is an example. There may not be any trick WiFi network at SFO at this time.

Credit Card Shenanigans

We all know that most online identity theft comes through stolen credit cards. Even if you are great about protecting your credit card information, these new scams might trip you up.

When on your getaway, beware of late night phone calls from the ‘front desk’ asking for you to verify your credit card information. While they may sound very official to you, groggy sleeper, they are not. Thieves have been tracking tourists to their rooms and scamming them out of their credit card information while their defenses are down. Don’t fall for it!

Never give out your credit card information over the phone. If this happens to you, go to the front desk directly (perhaps the next morning) and ask.

Social Media Freebies

Have you ever taken a survey on Facebook or clicked through a contest on Pinterest? Scammers are skimming personal information under the guise of entering you into a contest through social media.

More and more travelers are finding that at the end of the survey or after entering all of their contest information, they are never pushed through to a confirmation page. If you’re promised something too good to be true, like a free trip or flight, don’t buy it. Giving up your personal information is easy in this digital world. Don’t give yours up unless you can verify that the source is real.

We recommend checking back to the original website to see if they are running a contest before putting yourself on the line. If you see a contest that appears to be run by Delta, go to their homepage to be sure. If it’s legitimate, by all means, toss your name in the hat. However, this quick check can save you from one of the newest and slickest tricks out there.

Wrap Up

There are dozens of well-known scams out there, so do your research before you travel. These three online scams are the most vicious and sneaky and we don’t want any of our Fareboom Fans falling prey to online airline scams. As always, we’re here from the time you book a flight right up until the moment you get home. You can count on Fareboom.com.

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