AirAsia Philippines Issues Warning Against Fraudulent Social Media Offers
AirAsia Philippines has issued an urgent warning to the public regarding the rise of fake social media accounts. These dubious pages are promoting highly attractive deals on domestic and international flights, including bundled offers with hotel stays, tours, and other activities, at seemingly unbeatable prices.
As the summer travel season approaches, the airline has noticed an increase in these fraudulent pages using AirAsia’s branding to lure unsuspecting travelers. Victims of these scams report making payments for offers that turn out to be non-existent. One reported case involved an individual who was duped by an offer of a PHP1,999 all-inclusive deal, only to discover it was a scam when the so-called agent disappeared after payment.
The proliferation of these scam pages has prompted AirAsia Philippines to urge travelers to rely solely on official channels for bookings and information. The airline's Head of Communications and Public Affairs and First Officer, Steve Dailisan, emphasized the importance of using AirAsia’s legitimate social media platforms, like Fly AirAsia, and the official website,www.airasia.com, for all transactions.
The Asia Scam Report highlighted that nearly a quarter of Filipinos are quick to respond to scammer’s demands, and a significant portion are willing to take risks, even when dubious of online offers. This behavior underscores the importance of heightened vigilance in online transactions.
Dailisan advises travelers to double-check the legitimacy of travel offers and to transact only with verified profiles and brand accounts. He warns against offers that seem too good to be true, reminding the public that these are often bait for scams leading to financial loss or even hacking through malicious websites.
As the travel industry continues to navigate the challenges posed by online scams, AirAsia Philippines' warning serves as a critical reminder for travelers to prioritize safety and security in planning their journeys.
