Beware of Third-Party Airline Ticket Booking Scam

The representative who answers claims to be with the affiliated airline and after explaining the change in travel plans, asks for personal and payment information. Once confirming the changes, an agreement of re-booking fees that are twice what the original airline ticket cost is sent over for signature. Still thinking you are dealing with the airline, the document is signed, the fee is paid, and the transaction goes through.

After hanging up you find another phone number that connects directly to the airline, so you call to verify your transaction. You discover they never received a call from you about changing or canceling a flight, and you have been scammed out of money and personal information.

A consumer reported losing more than $2,000 after attempting to resolve a canceled flight. Believing they were speaking with an airline representative, they were told a cancellation fee would be charged but refunded along with the ticket price. An email receipt followed, but it turned out to be fake. No refund was ever issued, the contact number provided was fraudulent, and the individual is now disputing the charge with their credit card company.

Another consumer attempted to cancel a flight by calling a number they found online for Expedia. Although their itinerary showed free cancellation within 24 hours, the caller was told they would be charged a $150 fee. After questioning the charge, they realized it was likely a scam, contacted Expedia directly, and had their suspicions confirmed.

When booking a trip, BBB recommends the following tips:

• Verify the booking site: Before purchasing tickets, read all the fine print, cancellation policies and refund policies, and research the relationship the booking site has with the airlines. If you need to make a change, call the number where you purchased your original ticket, or go to the airline’s website and contact them directly.
• Use the official app. When booking or managing flights, consider using the airline’s official mobile app. Apps connect directly to the company’s system, making it easier to confirm bookings, track changes, and receive real-time updates. Using the official app reduces the risk of being misdirected to fraudulent websites and helps ensure you’re working with the legitimate company.
• Check the website security: Look for the HTTPS:// before entering any personal or financial information. Use a credit card to retain the ability to dispute and cancel the transaction.
• Keep documentation: Save copies of confirmation messages, email communication, text messages, and anything related to the transaction. Verify the customer service number provided in the communication.
• Research the airline: See if they use third-party booking sites and compare flights and prices.
• Check BBB: Research complaints, reviews, and ratings before booking. If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams. Find more information about scams and how to avoid them at BBB.org/AvoidScams.

For more information on how to prepare before and react to a disaster, go to BBB.org/disasters, BBB.org/storm   and ready.gov.  Please report fraudulent activity or unscrupulous business practices to BBB Scam Tracker. Remember, great businesses are out there. Always look for the BBB seal; it’s the Sign of a Better BusinessSM . Start with companies you can trust by going to bbb.org.