✈️ Don’t Let Airline Ticket Scams Ruin Your Holiday Travel

The holiday season is one of the busiest travel times of the year. Airports are crowded, flights are packed, and ticket prices often fluctuate by the hour. Unfortunately, scammers know this too—and they’re ready to take advantage of stressed, last-minute travelers looking for a deal.

At Coulson Technologies, we want your holiday plans to be filled with family, joy, and safe travels—not fraud. Here’s how to spot and avoid airline ticket scams this holiday season.

1. Go Straight to the Source

When it comes to buying plane tickets, your safest bet is the airline’s official website or mobile app. While third-party sites may advertise cheaper fares, they can hide fees, limit your refund options, or worse—sell tickets that don’t exist. Always double-check the web address before entering payment information.

2. Don’t Fall for “Unbelievable” Offers

Scammers prey on urgency with messages like “limited-time offer” or “flash sale” via email, text, or phone calls. If a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is. Instead of clicking links, open a new browser and navigate directly to the airline or trusted travel site to verify the promotion.

3. Research Before You Buy

Not sure about a travel agency or booking site? Take five minutes to check them out. Look up reviews on Trustpilot, Better Business Bureau, or even a quick Google search with the word “scam” added to the company name. If other travelers have been burned, you’ll often find warnings online.

4. Pay Smarter, Stay Safer

Whenever possible, use a credit card to purchase tickets. Credit cards generally provide stronger fraud protection and allow you to dispute charges if something goes wrong. Avoid direct wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, or gift cards—these are favorites of scammers because they’re nearly impossible to trace.

5. Beware of Bargain Fares

Scammers lure victims by advertising tickets at a fraction of the going rate. If you see a $99 cross-country ticket when every other site lists $400, pause. Compare multiple reputable booking sites to confirm whether the deal is real before handing over payment.

6. Look for Secure Connections

Before entering personal or financial details, check the website’s URL: it should begin with https:// and display a padlock icon in the browser bar. These indicators don’t guarantee legitimacy, but their absence is a definite red flag.

7. Keep an Eye on Your Accounts

After making a purchase, monitor your bank and credit card activity closely. Scammers sometimes test stolen information with small charges before making larger ones. Report anything unusual immediately to your financial institution.

8. Guard Your Personal Info

A legitimate airline or booking service will never ask for your Social Security number, login credentials, or unrelated personal data to book a flight. If a site or caller requests more than your basic contact and payment details, stop and verify directly with the airline.

9. Stay One Step Ahead

Fraud tactics evolve every year. Stay informed by following consumer protection sites, cybersecurity blogs, or even signing up for alerts from the FTC or your state’s attorney general’s office. Awareness is your best defense.

✨ Safe Travels, Happy Holidays

Holiday travel should be about reconnecting with family, not worrying about fraud. By booking smart, paying securely, and staying alert, you can outsmart scammers and focus on making memories.

At Coulson Technologies, we’re dedicated to helping you stay secure—whether you’re at home, in the office, or 30,000 feet in the air.

Safe travels, and enjoy every moment of your holiday journey!