What is Airline Fraud & How to Avoid Them?

08 January, 2024

Airline fraud typically involves the fraudster impersonating a customer care agent trying to help you with a query or grievance. The fraudster will solicit your personal and banking information on the pretext of providing support. Once they have the needed information, they will use it against your interest to conduct fraudulent activities.

This article will help you learn about the standard methods they adopt, the consequences of such activities and how to prevent yourself from being a victim!

Common methods of airline fraud

To know how to prevent yourself from fraud, it is first important to understand how fraudsters conduct these frauds. The following are some commonly used methods by the fraudsters -

1. Impersonation - The fraudster aims to obtain your sensitive information. The most widely used method by fraudsters is impersonating their identity as an official airline representative trying to help you. 
   
   Fraudsters use various methods to trick you into believing their fake identity. Such methods can include using counterfeit websites resembling original websites, using teleprompters, similar branding and numbers, etc. Such methods work via phone calls and online methods.
   
   

2. Fake numbers - If you need customer support, then one of the ways you possibly think of reaching out is to search the customer support details online and then get in touch with the same.
   
   Fraudsters know that you might do this and often post their fake numbers as official customer support contact details. Unsuspecting customers call these fake numbers and share their personal details, only to fall prey to these frauds.
   
   

3. Social media - Fraudsters also make use of social media platforms to extract your shared information and then act as an agent who is trying to verify your details. They might also get access to your complaints posted publicly on the platform to get details about your real issue and gain trust.
   
   

4. Emails - Some fraudsters also send phishing emails that contain fraudulent links to extract your information. Such emails are sent from handles that are very similar to the official ones, so you might overlook them and click on the shared links without verifying their authenticity.
   
   

Consequences of airline customer care frauds

Falling prey to fraud can lead to multiple possible consequences. The following are some common consequences of a fraud - 

1. Financial loss: Frauds typically aim to steal money from your accounts. By falling prey to fraud and sharing your sensitive information with the scammer, you risk enduring a significant financial loss.
   
   Fraudsters try to gain unauthorised access to your financial information. They then make illegal transactions from your accounts in their preferred accounts or for purchases.
   
   
2. Loss of personal information: Sharing your personal information with a fraudulent customer care representative can put them at risk of getting misused. This can result in identity theft, which can lead to further fraudulent activities in your name.
   
   
3. Disruptions: Apart from financial and personal information loss, falling prey to a fraud can also lead to disruptions in your existing travel plans. Fraudsters might cancel or move your reservation or even consume your loyalty points.
   
   

How to safeguard yourself from such frauds

Since you now understand the far-reaching effects of these fraudulent activities, it is vital that you also know how you can protect yourself. The following are some simple methods to safeguard your interests:

1. Verify: Always make the effort to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be the representative of an airline or its customer support. You can always ask them to share an email from their official company address. 
   
   Make use of the airline’s official website to get in touch with customer support, and do not get in touch with any third-party websites or agents offering help or customer support details
   
   
2. Stay alert - Keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour while engaging with customer support. Be mindful that customer care will always have some basic details about your profile which you can cross-check to verify their identity.
   
   It is important to know that no representative can ever ask you for your banking information like CVV, OTP, etc. On request of such information, you should always report it immediately to legal authorities.
   
   
3. Educate - To prevent yourself from a fraud, it is essential first to know how these frauds are conducted. Fraudsters often also keep changing the way they operate to exploit loopholes and unsuspecting customers. To learn about all the latest developments related to frauds, you can use the HDFC Bank Vigil Aunty. It will help you learn about new frauds, how they are conducted, how to prevent them and what you can do if you ever fall prey!
   
   
4. Authentic sources - Always use official and reputed sources to book tickets and seek help. By making the effort to find official sources, you can avoid being a victim. Similarly, be mindful of the sender's email ID while receiving any customer support email. Any discrepancy in the email ID should be immediately reported to the bank for further scrutiny.
   
   

Join Vigil Army, where Vigil Aunty will decode various frauds and give people a heads-up on the dos and don’ts of combating frauds online. To join the Vigil Army, send ‘Hi’ to her via WhatsApp number 7290030000.