BBB warns of airfare scams

With COVID-19 vaccines rolling out and travel increasing, the Better Business Bureau is warning travelers of new airfare scams.

According to the BBB, con artists are creating fake airline ticket booking sites or customer service numbers. The bureau is urging people to use caution and double-check websites and phone numbers before providing any personal information.

The BBB says the scam usually starts with an advertisement for a cheap flight through a major airline. Customers are then encouraged to book the flight, either through the website or by calling a customer support number, and a confirmation message is sent. However, the message doesn’t actually include a ticket.

Another version of the scam takes place on travel websites offering airfare deals. After paying with a credit card, the customer usually receives a call from the company saying there’s been a sudden price change or extra charges are necessary to finalize the booking. The BBB says a legitimate company wouldn’t ever do that.

Customers are urged to call the airline directly to follow up on your flight booking. An agent can then confirm any booking.

The BBB offered the following tips for travelers before booking:

• Do the research: If it’s an unfamiliar company, research it before making any purchases, and look for reviews at BBB.org.
• Double-check the URL before paying: Secure links start with "https://" and include a lock icon on the purchase page.
• Be wary of third-party websites: Some websites may appear to offer legitimate deals but are only fronts for a scam.
• Make online purchases with a credit card: Fraudulent charges on a credit card can usually be disputed, which may not be the case with other payment methods.