Prevention tips to outsmart phishing scammers
In today's digital age, online scamming can happen in any industry, including travel. This is why we prioritise protecting our customers from phishing scams and strive to provide information aimed at preventing it. Take time to familiarise yourself with the facts about phishing and what you can do to avoid becoming a victim of it.
Ways to prevent falling victim to phishing scams
- What is phishing?
- Types of phishing scams
- What is BudgetAir.co.uk doing to prevent phishing?
- Steps to take when you fell victim to a phishing scam
- What should I do if I receive a phishing email posing as BudgetAir.co.uk?
1. What is phishing?
Phishing is a type of online fraud where scammers send emails or messages that look legitimate in order to trick individuals into sharing sensitive information or downloading malware.
Like many industries, the travel industry is vulnerable to phishing attacks because it often involves a lot of online bookings and transactions. The types of personal information usually stolen in phishing cases are credit card numbers, passport information, or login credentials for travel accounts.
Phishing emails in the travel industry may contain suspicious links or attachments, ask for personal information, or have a sense of urgency to encourage you to act quickly.
Common examples of phishing scams:
- Fake flight confirmation emails
- Hotel reservation scams
- Vacation rental fraud...
Tips to help recognise phishing scams:
Check the sender's email address: Phishing emails often come from fake email addresses that are similar to our email addresses, but with slight variations. For example, instead of 'phishingexample@budgetair.co.uk', the email may come from 'phishingexample@budget_airUK.com'.
Be wary of urgent or threatening language: Phishing emails often use urgent or threatening language to try to get you to act quickly. For example, they may claim that your account has been compromised or that you need to take immediate action to avoid a penalty or loss of service.
Don't click on suspicious links or attachments: Phishing emails often contain links or attachments that, if clicked on, can install malware on your computer or take you to a fake website where you may be asked to provide personal information. Hover over links to see the URL before clicking on them, and be cautious of any attachments you were not expecting to receive.
Check for branding inconsistencies: Phishing emails often have branding inconsistencies, such as logos that are slightly different from our logo or poor-quality graphics. If you notice any inconsistencies, it may be a sign that the email is not legitimate.
2. Types of phishing scams
Here’s an extended list of what phishing scams can look like, but it’s not fully comprehensive. New scams are being developed at any time. So, use this list merely as a starting point for your awareness.
Email phishing: Scammers may send emails that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or an online retailer, and ask the recipient to click on a link or provide personal information.
SMS or text phishing: Scammers may send text messages that appear to be from a legitimate source and ask the recipient to click on a link or provide personal information.
Call/phone phishing: Scammers may call the victim and impersonate a representative from BudgetAir.co.uk, such as a customer service agent, and ask for personal information or bank details. We will only request this information from you in very rare cases and you will be informed via e-mail ahead of time, and be provided with a secure link to our portal where you can provide your banking information.
Targeted phishing: This is a type of phishing where scammers research their victims and create a customised message that appears to be from a trusted source. The message may contain personal information or references that make it appear more legitimate.
3. What is BudgetAir doing to prevent phishing?
We have various security measures in place to keep your information safe and secure, such as using advanced security protocols to encrypt our website as well as having dedicated teams and technologies in place to monitor our platforms for suspicious activity and quickly respond to any security threats.
We are committed to conducting our business in a manner that prioritizes safety and security, which is why we sell flights exclusively through our BudgetAir.co.uk website and only request personal information in rare, but specific instances.
It's important to remember that prevention is the best defence. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself:
Sign up for phishing alert newsletters: The Federal Trade Commission and Scamwatch are great resources for that.
Use Google Safe Browsing: If you receive a suspicious email or click on a suspicious link, you can use the Google Safe Browsing tool to check if the website has been reported for phishing or malware. Using safe browsing in Google Chrome and how to set it up.
4. What steps should I take if I have fallen victim to a phishing scam?
If you suspect you may have fallen prey to a phishing scam, taking swift action is crucial to safeguarding yourself. To help you protect your personal information and assets, we recommend following these steps:
1. Change your passwords: If you provided your login credentials to a phishing scammer, change your passwords immediately for all the affected accounts. Make sure to create strong, unique passwords for each account.
2. Monitor your accounts: Check your bank and credit card statements regularly to look for any unauthorized transactions. If you see anything suspicious, report it to your bank or credit card company immediately.
3. Report the phishing attempt: Report the phishing attempt to the National Cyber Security Centre (further information and instructions are available).
4. Retain the details: Save screenshots of SMS/text messages, a call log and emails related to the correspondence in question. This information can be used to help remedy the situation when you report the phishing attempt.
5. Install anti-virus software: Install reputable anti-virus software on your computer to detect and remove any malware that may have been installed through the phishing attack.
6. Educate yourself: Learn more about how to recognise and avoid phishing scams in the future. There are many resources available online that can help you stay safe online.
Remember to be suspicious of any unexpected emails or messages that ask you to provide personal information or click on links, and always verify the legitimacy of the request before taking any action.
5. What should I do if I receive a phishing email posing as BudgetAir.co.uk (or another travel company)?
If you receive an email that appears to be from BudgetAir.co.uk and you suspect it may be a phishing attempt, please refrain from clicking on any links or providing any personal information. Instead, we recommend taking the following steps:
- Do not click on any links or download any attachments in the email.
- Do not provide any personal information or login credentials.
- Mark the email as spam or phishing and delete it from your inbox.
- Monitor your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.
By taking these proactive steps, you can help safeguard your personal information and protect yourself from potential financial harm. It is important to be vigilant, outsmart and stay one step ahead of scammers.
Booking your dream trip shouldn't be a nightmare, so protect your travel experience and stay safe exploring the world.