Rising Scam Threats Amidst Travel Delays and Cancellations

US officials and airlines are warning of an increase in scams related to ongoing travel disruptions and delays. The Federal Trade Commission and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have reported a rise in individuals impersonating airlines and travel companies to steal personal information from travelers.

In recent days, travelers across the United States have faced significant travel disruptions. A technical outage grounded flights nationwide, and now Hurricane Debby has hit Florida as a Category 1 storm. As of Monday, over 1,660 flights have been canceled nationwide, according to FlightAware. Florida airports are the most affected, with major impacts on flights out of Orlando, Miami, and Tampa.

Scammers are exploiting these disruptions by targeting travelers who seek assistance online. These scammers use fake social media accounts to pose as airline customer service representatives. Once connected, they request personal information such as booking confirmation numbers, phone numbers, and bank details. In some cases, they direct travelers to spoofed websites that look like airline pages but are designed to steal personal information.

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a warning to travelers, emphasizing the need for caution when seeking help online. They advise using official airline apps, websites, and phone numbers for customer service. If at the airport, speaking to a customer service representative in person is the safest option. When using social media, only interact with verified accounts, and never share personal information publicly.

To protect yourself, follow these tips from the Department of Transportation:

• Log in to your airline account and contact customer service through official channels.
• Speak to customer service representatives in person at the airport.
• Use links to official social media pages found on the airline’s website.
• Be cautious of verification symbols on social media accounts, as they are not foolproof.
• Never share personal information on social media.

If your personal information has been compromised, visit IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps. Report imposters to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.