AirAsia Philippines has issued a stern warning to the public, urging vigilance against fraudulent social media accounts offering seemingly enticing travel packages. These suspicious pages are reported to be advertising unrealistically cheap domestic and international airfares bundled with accommodations, tours, and other related activities.
The caution comes in the wake of an increasing number of reports concerning dubious Facebook pages using the AirAsia brand name. This surge is particularly notable as travelers eagerly anticipate the upcoming summer season.
“While social media pages and communities serve as an information-sharing platform for travelers, we strongly recommend visiting only AirAsia’s legitimate social media platforms such as Fly AirAsia where information on flight schedules and promos are posted. While we sincerely empathize with those victimized by scammers, we only honor transactions made through authorized AirAsia travel agent partners or via www.airasia.com and airasia move. Think twice before closing an online transaction. Transact only from verified profiles and brand accounts. Double check with other legit online sources and always have reservations if the offer is too good to be true,” according to First Officer Steve Dailisan, AirAsia Head of Communications and Public Affairs.
Instances have been documented where unsuspecting individuals, enticed by seemingly unbeatable deals, find themselves victims of online scams. The aftermath often involves holding fake bookings that prove unrecoverable during standard check-in procedures. One affected traveler recounted falling for a supposed PHP1,999 all-inclusive deal, only to discover it was a scam when the alleged agent disappeared after the transaction. Another victim cited the credibility of the offering, influenced by testimonials from purported previous customers.
Startling statistics from the Asia Scam Report reveal that 24.8% of Filipinos tend to respond hastily to scammers’ demands, while 21.1% are willing to take risks despite uncertainties surrounding online offerings. It is worth noting that some of these deceptive accounts pose as legitimate travel agents representing the airline, while others incorporate more nefarious tactics. Certain fraudulent social media pages host clickbait posts that direct users to malicious websites, often leading to hacking attempts.
AirAsia Philippines emphasizes the importance of verifying the authenticity of social media accounts and advises the public to rely solely on official channels for booking and inquiries. Travelers are urged to exercise caution, particularly during peak seasons, and report any suspicious activity to the airline to help combat the rise of online scams.