Tourists face heightened risk of fraud during summer months, according to VTB.
As the May holidays draw near, be extra alert when booking holidays, says VTB, who warns of surge in fraud cases involving tourist vouchers or fake airline tickets. Scammers ride on the wave of tourist excitement, creating phony airline and ticket marketplace websites to lure unwary travelers with promising low prices.
In the rush of holiday planning, it's easy to be fooled by their tricks. They trick victims into clicking on dubious links, offering "last-minute" deals or "limited-time offers" to pressure a quick decision. Clueless tourists hand over their personal data and bank card info, only to find out at the airport that they've been deceived. Their tickets turn out to be invalid.
Here are some red flags to watch out for:
- Ridiculously low prices for airline tickets or tourist vouchers.
- Unofficial sources, such as links from emails or messages in messengers.
- A sense of urgency: fraudsters may create a sense of urgency to force the victim into making a quick decision.
Dmitry Revyakin, Vice President of VTB, advises, "Such schemes are popular among scammers during the tourist season. They offer distressed Russians cheap airplane tickets, hotels, or tours, posing as the transport providers. To avoid being scammed, always verify links."
To protect yourself during the tourist season:
- Double-check the website: ensure the URL is correct and not a variant of a legitimate airline's name. Look for certifications from organizations like the Better Business Bureau.
- Use secure payment methods: prefer credit cards or secure platforms like PayPal for transactions, as they offer better consumer protection compared to wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
- Protect your personal information: don't click on suspicious links or give out personal information via unverified phone calls. Instead, directly visit official websites or use verified phone numbers.
- Research deals thoroughly: check reviews from multiple sources before booking, and be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.
- Inform your bank and credit card companies about your travel plans to enhance transaction monitoring.
- Trust your instincts: if something seems suspicious, trust your instincts and avoid the transaction.
In case of any suspicion, report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). By following these guidelines, you can have a safer travel experience and avoid falling victim to these scams.
- Be aware that fraudsters often promote trips or tourist packages with prices unreasonably lower than market rates.
- When Alexandra is browsing travel deals, she should exercise caution and steer clear of offers that originate from unofficial sources like emails or unverified messenger links.
- To safeguard her financial security, Alexandra should opt for secure payment methods like credit cards or PayPal while booking trips online, as these options provide better consumer protection.
- If Alexandra comes across a travel deal that appears too good to be true, she should conduct meticulous research by checking reviews from multiple sources before making a booking decision, and trust her instincts if anything seems suspicious.
