It has been a busy summer for travel, and that strong interest has also attracted criminals who are looking to take advantage of others. AAA strongly urges travelers to use reputable services for their travel needs, and to be on alert for potential scams.
Recently, a AAA travel advisor came across a scam targeting air travelers. The scam specifically targets people who search for an airline’s phone number online because their flight has been canceled or delayed. Those fake phone numbers lead callers to an unrelated, third party that will ask for reservation information and credit card numbers to pay for a “service fee” or price difference between flights. In some cases, those “fees” are hundreds of dollars. AAA wants members, and all travelers, to be aware of these types of scams to avoid falling victim.
AAA Recommendations:
•If your flight is delayed or canceled, and you’re at the airport, speak with a gate agent in person or use the airline’s app.
•If you prefer to call the airline, use the toll-free number that appears on their website.
•An airline will not charge you for a canceled or delayed flight.
•Prior to a trip, download the airline’s app and save their toll-free number on your phone.
•To avoid these situations, work with a travel agent ahead of time and purchase travel insurance to cover incidental expenses like meals and lodging in the event of a cancellation.
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