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Every week, join Sydney Waters as she helps you navigate life as a smart consumer. You'll cover everything in avoiding the latest scams, including phishing emails, medical equipment fraud, understanding layaway, hiring a reputable tax preparer, and even digital spring cleaning. Add to your toolbox and flip through your Consumer Handbook Thursdays during NPR’s Morning Edition at 6:42 a.m. and 8:42 a.m., only on KRCU.

Consumer Handbook: Travel Is Coming Back, And So Are Fake Tickets

Jonathan Cutrer/Flickr, License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

With the COVID-19 vaccines rolling out, travel is coming back. That's great news for summer vacation plans... and scammers.

BBB Scam Tracker is receiving reports of con artists creating fake airline ticket booking sites or customer service numbers. While doing an online search for cheap flights, you may come across what seems like a great deal with a major airline. You book the flight - either through the website or by calling a customer support number - and receive a confirmation message. However, when you look more closely at the email, you notice that you never actually received your ticket.

In another version of this scam, you book a flight on a travel website offering deals on airfare. You pay with your credit card like normal. But shortly after making the payment, you receive a call from the company saying that there's been a sudden price increase or an extra charge to finalize your booking. This is something a legitimate company would never do.

In either case, you call the airline to follow up about your flight. After talking to an agent, you find that they have no record of your booking. It turns out you accidentally purchased tickets through a scam website or a phony customer service number. 

If you’re buying airfare, use caution and double check the URL or phone number before providing your credit card information. If you come across a company you haven’t dealt with before, research it before making any purchases. Look for reviews and feedback from previous customers.

Be wary of third-party websites. Some websites appear to offer a legitimate service but are only fronts for a scam. Make online purchases with your credit card, because fraudulent charges made on a credit card can usually be disputed, whereas that might not be the case with other payment methods. Unfortunately, there is no way to get back the personal information you may have shared.

 

Cape Girardeau native Whitney Quick is the former Regional Director of Better Business Bureau in Cape Girardeau, MO. She joined the Cape Chamber as Vice President of Programs and Leadership Development in May 2023. Quick is a graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School and Southeast Missouri University where she majored in public relations.