Is your flight ticket real? How to spot and avoid fake bookings

The trick

A fake agent makes a reservation instead of buying a ticket. Because the reservation shows up on the airline's website, it looks legitimate. The problem appears at check-in, when your ticket cannot be found, and the airline cannot help because you never bought a ticket from it.

How to check before you pay and before you fly

1. Do not pay until you receive a confirmation or e-ticket number. A reservation code alone could just be a reservation.
2. Book on the airline's own website when you can.
3. Verify with the airline, not the agent. Contact the airline and ask if the ticket is issued and paid, not only reserved.
4. Check the seller: look for reviews on several sites and for industry credentials such as IATA accreditation.
5. Pay by a method that offers protection. Be wary of sellers that accept only bank transfer, money order or cryptocurrency.

Warning signs

• Prices far below every other site.
• Hidden fees or unclear pricing.
• Pressure to pay quickly or to move the chat to a private app.
• A ticket PDF but no way to confirm it with the airline.

If you were scammed

• Contact your bank or card issuer immediately and ask about a chargeback.
• Report it to your local police or the cybercrime authority in your country.
• Keep chats, receipts and the ticket. Warn others on the platform where you found the seller.