A travel blogger has warned holidaymakers not to put their full address on their luggage tags, as it could open them up to luggage tag scams and holiday fraud.
Expert Advice on Luggage Tags
With summer rapidly approaching, countless Brits will be getting ready to fly off on their summer getaways. However, one travel expert is cautioning people against including their full address on their luggage. That advice might appear contradictory to many, given traditional luggage tags typically feature space for your name, phone number, address, and even email. Yet travel blogger Mark Wolters argues that displaying your address on your suitcase could expose you to a range of scams.
Potential Risks
Mark, who posts as Wolter's World on YouTube, cautions that unscrupulous individuals could even exploit the address to reroute your suitcase, pinching your valuable possessions. In a YouTube video, 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 you're a cute young man like myself, and my address and phone number are right there, and someone goes 'I like that guy, I'm going to follow him to his house.' You don't want that.'
What to Include Instead
Mark reveals he and his family simply list their name, phone number, and email address. He continued: 'If I travel, how is my home address going to help? They're not going to send it to London, they're going to send it back to the US.' He went on to stress that travellers should refrain from sharing 'too much information'. He also urged travellers to ensure they have a privacy flap concealing their basic details.
Identity Fraud and Baggage Rerouting
While this may appear over-the-top to some, he insists that anyone seeking access to your information is merely a straightforward photograph away. He warns that your private information could also be exploited for identity fraud. If your details remain visible on your luggage, Mark cautions travellers that fraudsters can manipulate the airline into rerouting their baggage elsewhere, granting them access to your belongings. He said: 'Your bag tags have that number on there, and people can file false claims saying, 'Here's my bag tag number, where is it? Oh it's not there, send it to this hotel, this address'. Then you're out of luck.'
Social Media Caution
This prompted Mark to urge holidaymakers not to reveal excessive personal information on social media. Beyond the bag tags, he warns this can include your boarding pass or even updates while you're away. He explains that disclosing precise trip details essentially alerts potential thieves that your property is 'wide open'. On top of this, Mark cautions tourists to be vigilant for fraudulent customer service contacts. He points out that posting about your airline on social media can attract fake accounts messaging you, claiming they can resolve your issue if you provide your banking information. He added: 'Those airlines aren't going to ask for your credit card details in your DMs, they already have that information because you bought a ticket.' He urges travellers to ensure they are contacting verified customer service channels.
