Beware of Air Travel Scams: Woman's Ordeal with a Counterfeit Plane Ticket

janimonow

Dec 17

Adelyn Carsada and her son faced a disheartening situation when they discovered that the flight ticket to General Santos City they purchased online for P4,000 was fraudulent. Upon attempting to board, they found that their reservation was not registered in the airline's system. To make matters worse, Carsada, who had borrowed money for the flight, was blocked on social media by the seller of the fake ticket, leaving her with no recourse or refund.

Carsada had to resort to borrowing more money to secure alternative transportation, opting for a sea trip due to the prohibitive cost of a last-minute flight. This unfortunate event highlights the risks and consequences of falling victim to travel-related scams, which have become increasingly prevalent, especially during holiday seasons when many Filipinos travel across the country.

To protect oneself from such scams, it's crucial to be aware of the common tactics used by fraudsters. These include creating bogus flight-booking websites with unrealistically low prices, sending fake flight cancellation emails requiring additional fees, and posing as airline staff. The scammers' goal is either direct financial theft or the collection of personal information for identity theft or other fraudulent purposes.

To avoid these scams, travelers should verify the URLs of booking sites and check for security certificates. Be cautious of sudden price increases or requests for additional fees after ticket purchase, as these are often red flags. It's also advisable to be wary of last-minute ticket deals from private sellers, especially if they require untraceable payment methods like cash or cryptocurrency. In case of any doubts or unusual email or phone communications, contact the airline directly using their official customer support number.