Just ahead of the summer holiday season in North America and Europe, there are serious new warnings for travelers as criminals target citizens while abroad. This is more acute than usual, because “geopolitical turmoil is a gift for scammers.”
The team at ESET warns that “military conflict can often result in sudden flight cancellations, border checks and other travel-related disruption.” All of which open the door to attacks. “Scammers can take advantage of this by impersonating airlines and government agencies.” And when you’re away, that’s much higher risk.
Consumer Affairs warns that “scammers rely on urgency (your flight is changing, act now), trust (it looks like a real airline phone number), convenience (you just click the first result).” But there’s one thing you can do to help stay safe.
“Never Google airline phone numbers in a rush,” the consumer advocacy website says. “Sponsored search results can be fake. Instead, do this: Use the airline’s official app. Go directly to the airline’s website (type it in yourself). Save customer service phone numbers in your phone ahead of trips.”
That’s even more critical now than ever before. “With AI and better fake websites, it’s getting harder to tell what’s real.” There are many ways scammers can trick you into calling their fake or spoofed numbers. Poisoning SEO results in one. But there are plenty of other ways to lure victims while they’re on holiday.
“Be cautious of social media accounts,” ESET says, “especially those that appear to be customer service accounts for airlines and the like. These are easier than you’d think to set up and platform providers are always a step behind in taking them down.” Do not search for your airline’s services desk on social media.
Whichever airline and hotel you’re using, save the numbers in a note on your phone before you travel. That way, you have easy and immediate access to numbers you need when/if you need them. But even if you do this, the usual rules apply.
“It goes without saying that you should never hand over sensitive information over the phone,” ESET says. And that means voice calls, emails or text messages.
Consumer Affairs also says you should “know what airlines actually charge,” in case you need to make a change. “Huge fees for basic changes (and pressure to pay immediately” are a “major red flag.” As are demands for extortionate fees.
