Buzz
Customers bear the brunt of 'money lost, experience tarnished' when ensnared by airline ticket scams. It's not uncommon for customers to be taken aback upon reaching the airport, discovering that their tickets are counterfeit and they cannot board the plane.
Alternatively, even if the tickets are genuine, when assistance is needed such as flight time changes, date adjustments, or additional luggage, these fraudulent individuals/organizations lack the expertise or skills to handle customer orders competently. This leaves many people not only out of pocket but also with disrupted work or travel plans.
Below are cunning airline ticket scams and how to avoid them:
Ghost ticket agencies
En Bac Airlines ticket agency closed down and fled after being accused of fraud in 2012 (Source: vnexpress.net, 2012)
When searching for airline tickets online, the results yield countless ticket agencies, travel companies from all corners. Among them, there are no shortages of 'ghost' ticket agencies, entities not official agents of airlines, just fleeting scams, swindling customers, not providing tickets, then disappearing.
Avoiding such scenarios isn't overly difficult. Customers need to be smart in thoroughly checking company information before purchasing services. 'Ghost' ticket agencies typically lack a professional website system, are vague in detailing airline ticket prices, fail to provide information registered with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, etc.
Upon visiting offices/ agencies, the physical infrastructure as well as the number of staff are inadequate, transaction documents are unprofessional: lacking clear forms, company logos, invoices, etc.
Impersonating airline websites
Impersonated website
To gain customer trust, many websites have names similar to airline websites such as Vietnamairlines.net, phongvevietjet.vn, vietjet.net... Customers believe they are contacting the airlines directly and feel extremely reassured, but the reality is different.
Most recently, as Bamboo Airways prepares for its official launch, there has been a counterfeit website with the domain name 'bambooairway.vn' causing confusion and concern among customers. This incident also prompted the Aviation Authority to demand that Bamboo Airways take action against the counterfeit website.
Subsequently, Bamboo Airways has published several articles in newspapers, affirming that the official website of the airline is: http://bambooairways.com.
>> Read more about the Warning: Counterfeit Bamboo Airways Website here
Preventive measures involve carefully examining the company's website system, whether the information and design are professional and clear; whether there is a hotline because airlines will NOT use personal mobile numbers to contact customers.
It's crucial to know the official websites of domestic airlines:
- Vietnam Airlines: vietnamairlines.com
- Vietjet Air: vietjetair.com
- Jetstar Pacific: jetstar.com
- Bamboo Airways: bambooairways.com
Impersonating sales representatives of reputable companies
Impersonating sales representatives of reputable companies
This is a trick that is gradually becoming more common nowadays. Unscrupulous individuals easily obtain customer information in various ways: for example, when customers leave their names and phone numbers on advertisements selling airline tickets from reputable companies, they quickly impersonate ticket sales staff or offer home delivery.
These individuals deliver fake tickets but collect real money, leading customers to believe they have successfully purchased tickets from the reputable company they have previously contacted.
To prevent this, for example, when booking services with Mytour Travel Company, customers should only provide personal information to the Company through phone numbers, email, or messages (inbox) on the Company's Facebook fanpage.
During transactions, requesting to receive airline ticket information via email ensures clear orders, and the information is sent from an email address with the same domain as the company's website.
For example, Mytour Travel Company's website address is Mytour.vn, and all emails we use to transact with customers have the Mytour.vn domain (e.g., sales@Mytour.vn, booking@Mytour.vn). For home delivery services, customers should verify that the phone number of the ticket delivery person matches the phone number provided by the consulting staff.
Selling fake airline tickets
In early 2016, Ms. Dang Thi Dong lost 23.5 million VND due to purchasing fake airline tickets (Source: vnexpress.net, 2016)
This situation often occurs in all three scenarios mentioned above. That is, ghost ticket agencies, or companies impersonating airlines or individuals impersonating ticket sales staff provide fake electronic ticket codes. Even acquaintances buying airline tickets on behalf of others take advantage of trust and provide fake tickets.
The following preventive measures are very simple and can be used anytime customers suspect airline tickets. Simply contact the airline directly, read the ticket code information, check its validity, and ask airline staff to verify flight details and passenger information. The hotline numbers for domestic airlines are:
- Vietnam Airlines: 1900 1100
- Vietjet Air: 1900 1886
- Jetstar Pacific: 1900 1550
- Bamboo Airways: 1900 1166
Furthermore, customers can also preliminarily check the electronic ticket code with the naked eye. Vietnam Airlines ticket codes currently consist of 6 letters, Vietjet Air codes consist of 8 digits, and Jetstar codes consist of 6 characters including numbers and letters, or only letters like Vietnam Airlines.
Hoping that the sharing above will help customers become savvy travelers, easily embarking on smooth business trips and vacations!
For trustworthy and convenient airline ticket booking assistance, customers can contact Mytour Travel Company - a premier level 1 airline ticket agency for both domestic and international airlines.
The company's website https://www.Mytour.vn is transparent, providing comprehensive information and clearly disclosing necessary licenses. The company's staff, with extensive experience in the industry and boundless passion for travel, will surely provide customers with the fastest and most accurate advice.
Consultants at Mytour Travel Company
With the question 'Is Mytour Travel Company reputable?' - Mytour is recommended on reputable forums such as Baynhe.vn and Toplist.vn, and major newspapers like vnexpress.net, 24h.com.vn invite interviews in articles related to the tourism industry. Thousands of customers express 'Absolute Satisfaction' on Mytour's Facebook fanpage.
Over 90% of customers express absolute satisfaction with Mytour Travel Company
Customers will feel completely assured and absolutely satisfied when booking airline tickets at Mytour Travel Company. Contact Mytour via hotline 1900 2083 or book cheap flights online here.
Dang
Image Source: Internet
