Watch Out For This Travel Scam At The Buffalo Airport

It’s hard to believe that we’re less than a month away from Labor Day. Time to get ready for lots and lots of Western New York travelers to hit up the 190, 290, and 90 for one last summer getaway, along with piling in the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. 

The International Air Transport Association estimates that a record-shattering five billion passengers will fly somewhere this year in the U.S., and if you’re one of them, there’s a scam out there that you need to know about. 

If you’re planning on flying out of Buffalo in the near future, especially this Labor Day weekend, here’s how to make sure you don’t become a victim of this ruthless scam.

Buffalo Flight Canceled Or Delayed? DON’T Do This

Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how early you get there or how much you planned ahead of time; you’ll still find yourself sitting at the airport for hours trying to get home after a delayed or canceled flight.

Your first instinct might be to call the airline to try to book a new flight, so you google the airline and dial the first number that pops up on the screen. Be careful doing that!

Watch Out For This Scam At The Buffalo Airport

A con targeting air travelers who search for an airline’s phone number online has been making the rounds recently, and you need to be hyper-aware of it on busy holiday weekends like this upcoming Labor Day. 

According to AAA, criminals have been posting fake phone numbers that mislead customers into thinking they are calling an airline. Instead, the numbers lead them to an unrelated third party that may ask unknowing travelers for reservation and credit card numbers to pay a “service fee” or price difference between flights - often up to hundreds of dollars. 

Not only will they charge you for the fake “price difference” on a flight that doesn’t exist, but they will then use your credit cards to potentially rack up thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges.

What To Do If Your Buffalo Flight Gets Canceled Or Delayed

Now that you know the warning signs to look out for, AAA suggests you stay calm and do the following if your flight gets axed:

•   If you’re at the airport already, find an available gate agent to speak with. If the lines are two long, try to connect with the airline using their official mobile app.
•   If you prefer to call the airline directly, you can usually find a toll-free phone number on their official website. 

BONUS TIP: Before your next trip, download the airline’s app to your phone and save their toll-free number in your contacts. 

It’s important to always remember that no airline will ever charge you for a canceled or delayed flight, so if anyone you call tells you otherwise, they’re a fraud. 

We know– it’s an enormous headache when your travel plans get messed up. It may be easier said than done, but the best thing to try to do is keep your cool, and remember that you’re too smart to let some sleazy jerk with a fake phone number take advantage of you during a stressful situation.