Travel expert Mark Wolters has warned holidaymakers not to include their full address on their suitcase baggage labels. With summer approaching, many Brits are preparing for holidays, but Wolters advises against putting complete addresses on luggage, citing potential scams and security risks.
Why Avoid Addresses on Luggage Tags?
Traditional luggage tags often have spaces for name, phone number, address, and email. However, travel blogger Mark Wolters says including your address could open you up to scams. In a YouTube video, he explained that nefarious individuals might use the address to redirect your suitcase or even follow you home.
Wolters, who posts as Wolter's World on YouTube, never includes his address on his bag tag. He said: "When it comes to your bag tags, don't put your whole address on them. Think about it, if you're at baggage claim and your address and phone number are right there, someone could follow you to your house."
What to Include Instead
Wolters recommends including only your name, phone number, and email address. He noted that if he travels from the US to London, his home address won't help the airline return his bag; they would send it to the US anyway. He also advises using a privacy flap to cover basic information.
Risks of Sharing Too Much Information
Wolters warns that scammers can use your details for identity fraud or to redirect your luggage. He said: "Your bag tags have that number on there, and people can file false claims saying, 'Here's my bag tag number, send it to this hotel or address.' Then you're out of luck."
He also cautions against sharing travel details on social media, as burglars may know when your house is empty. Additionally, he warns about fake customer service lines: airlines won't ask for credit card details in DMs, as they already have that information from your ticket. Always message verified customer service lines.
