Tourists Beware: VTB Reports Increased Fraud Activity During Summer Travel Period
During the sunny days of May, stay alert! Your dream vacation is at risk from sneaky scammers eyeing your hard-earned cash. Hovering around tourist vouchers and airline tickets like vultures, these tricksters are out to spoil your holiday plans.
Here's the deal: These cunning crooks set up phony sites impersonating popular airlines and ticket vendors, enticing you with claims of unbelievably low prices. Don't get lured, folks! What seems too good to be true usually is.
Recognize the red flags to keep yourself safe:
- Prices that make your wallet sing? Better check twice, because those ultra-cheap deals might just be a mirage.
- Funny business with links? If they reached you through emails or messages, they might be sketchy. Verify any offers on the actual airline's site.
- Time running out? Urgency is a classic trick used by scammers. Don't let them rush you into making a hasty decision. Better be safe than sorry!
Dmitry Revyakin, Vice President of VTB and Head of the Corporate Interests Protection Department, weighed in on the matter. He warned that, although this scheme has been around for a while, it tends to be more common during tourist seasons. Scammers masquerade as airline providers, offering discounted flights, hotels, or tours, only to leave you empty-handed at the airport with worthless tickets.
To avoid falling for these scams, double-check your links and stick to official airline sites or trusted ticket marketplaces. Remember, your safety is worth a little extra effort!
For additional security measures, pay attention to your payment methods. Use credit cards or secure wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal for an extra layer of protection. And steer clear of dubious options like wire transfers or prepaid gift cards that fraudsters love.
Download airline or ticketing apps only through verified app stores and read recent reviews carefully to avoid phony booking apps. And if you receive calls from "representatives" or "officials," hang up and dial the official number to verify their identity. Watch out for voice-cloning scams that pretend to be airline staff!
In the unfortunate event of compromised accounts or suspected fraud, don't engage with mysterious messages or calls—reach out to official support services instead. And beware of promises on social media that don't come from verified airline or travel agency channels.
By staying cautious, verifying all offers, and using safe payment methods, you can minimize your risk of becoming a victim of these deceitful scams during high-traffic travel periods like the May holidays in Russia. Happy travels, folx! Stay safe! 🌞👍
- During the tourist season, such as the May holidays in Russia, beware of scam artists masquerading as airline providers offering discounted flights, hotels, or tours that could leave you stranded with worthless tickets.
- To remain safe during your financial transactions related to travel, opt for using credit cards or secure wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal for an extra layer of protection against scammers.
