Airline Free Tickets and Vouchers Fraud Warning
Source: admin Release Time: 23:25:30 2018-09-14
Did anybody say free airline tickets? One of the biggest scams around when it comes to flight coupons, free plane tickets and discounts on flights is the Free Airline Tickets scam. In a down economy with rising gas prices, many can’t afford to take vacations that involve air travel. For that reason, many people were pleasantly surprised when they received a letter from their national airline company offering two free flights worth almost $1300. Brand names used by the scammers are US Airways, Air Canada, British Airways, or Qantas.
How does the scam work? The letter states that the company tried to contact the reader many times without success. They then advise the reader to call a toll-free number to claim their flight vouchers. When the reader calls the number a high-pressured salesperson advises the reader of the necessity of attending a presentation about the company in order to claim the flight vouchers. On the other hand, questionable travel agencies use this gimmick to get people to sign up for "travel clubs", which offer "exclusive deals and packages" in the future. The only condition is that travelers would buy these memberships up front. In reality, the fees would cost the same if they would buy the packages themselves. In this case, to keep themselves out of any legal battles with the real airlines, the travel agencies would send the checks/invitations/vouchers with brands having a slight difference in name. For example, as you see in the picture above, the name on the voucher is American Airways, which doesn't exist as a company. There is American Airlines and US Airways, but no American Airways. How to avoid: When receiving any correspondence promising something for nothing, beware. You will most likely be pressured in to making a purchase that is often more expensive than the price of two legitimate airline tickets. The Better Business Bureau reports that these letters are on the upswing, so be on the lookout. Your best bet if you receive one is to throw it away. Flight coupons, free airline tickets, and discounts on flights represent something that doesn't come in your mail box.