Traveling is fun as long as you get everything right started from the preparation until you’re back home. However, there are always risks of getting trapped into unwanted hazards. It is not only about unfortunate weather when you arrive at your destination or being a victim of pick-pocketing.
The problems can raise even before your departure. Online travel scam is one of the most common hazards faced by travelers especially the newbies. Thus, it is important to not only keep watching of your surrounding at your destination but you need to do it even before that. You need to pay more attention to internet scams which has trapped lots of victims.
Types of online travel scams you need to avoid
The advance of technology has made your life easier in many ways. However, it is also easier for you to become a victim of online scam. Personal computer and smartphone now are accessible. There are many things people can do to scam their target such as through fake ads on your social media timelines, and many more. Here are online travel scams that have put people into a victim and you should be aware of:
- Fake page on social media timeline is common thing to find today. Some people just ignore it and some people fall for it. It is easy to make fake page on social media like Facebook for example. The page will look like travel provider and offer many interesting content to attract attention. They create promotion in creative ways so that more people fall for it. Therefore, it’s recommended to be more selective if you are searching for travel agent or travel promotion via social media. Make sure that is not fake promotion by confirming real address or the contacts.
- Free ticket for flight is also one of the most common online scams where travelers often fall for it. Free airline ticket is tempting for especially for budget travelers. This scam can be found almost everywhere included social media. They do it putting a link saying that if you click it then you will directed to official page and claim your free ticket flight. Make sure to avoid this scam by identifying the fake official page through misspelling on its page name or confirming directly to official airline network.
- Fake email confirming your flight is also popular online travel scam. This is new type of online scam but getting more popular because lots of people have become a victim. If you receive an email with subject Confirm Your Flight then you need to be careful. They will require you to go to a certain website to confirm your flight. However, you will be directed to a suspicious page where you are required to put in your information related to your itinerary and personal information such as PNR. In th end, your real ticket will be hijacked and got stolen. Thus, it is recommended not to post your travel plan on social media because you will become a target.