New Airline Seat Scam Targets British Holidaymakers, Costing Millions
Millions of pounds are lost each year to holiday booking scams, and a new sophisticated trick is specifically targeting travellers who are flying to their destinations. Fraudsters have been posing as airline workers and calling British holidaymakers to demand payment for a fraudulent 'seat guarantee' on the plane.
How the Scam Operates
The scam involves holidaymakers receiving unsolicited calls from individuals pretending to represent major UK airlines. The caller typically claims there is a problem with the passenger's seat selection, often blaming a 'system glitch', and offers to secure preferred seats over the phone. However, they will only 'allocate' these seats if the traveller pays an immediate fee.
Consumer experts from Phonely's 'Who Called Me' platform, a consumer-protection service that has received multiple reports from affected travellers, have issued strong warnings. They emphasise that these seats are not real and that airlines do not usually call passengers out of the blue to take payment for seat reservations.
Victim Experiences Highlight the Danger
Several holidaymakers have shared their anonymous experiences with the platform, revealing how convincing the fraudsters can be. One person described a 'close call' with a trickster, explaining: 'Did a Google search to manage my booking and do seat selection and received a call to say there was a computer glitch and my seat selection could be done over the phone. I had got into the BA website and said it was ok as I could do it online.'
Thankfully, this traveller realised it was a scam before any money was taken, adding: 'The person wouldn't end the call and said the seat wouldn't be guaranteed unless I paid. I knew that wasn't true as my membership guaranteed the seat. I ended the call. Close call.'
In another alarming instance, a passenger was contacted by a fraudster just minutes after speaking to the airline's legitimate customer service. 'No sooner had I put my phone down than another man called saying he could help me with my preferred seats. £95 each,' they recalled. 'He sounded so convincing as he knew information I had just been discussing with customer care. I almost gave him my info… a close call indeed.'
Significant Financial Impact and Expert Warnings
According to the Report Fraud show, a staggering £11 million was lost to holiday booking scams in 2024 alone. Phonely director Bryn Thompson explained how this particular scam represents a new evolution in targeting travellers and issued a crucial warning to the public.
He stated: 'While airline impersonation isn't new, targeting passengers specifically with fake seat reservation calls is something we have only just started receiving reports about. Airlines do not typically call customers out of the blue to take payment for seat reservations. This is usually done through their official website or app. If you receive an unexpected call asking for payment, that should immediately raise alarm bells.'
This scam underscores the importance of vigilance when dealing with unsolicited communications regarding travel arrangements. Consumers are advised to always verify requests for payment through official airline channels and to report any suspicious activity to platforms like Phonely or relevant authorities.
