Experts warn travellers of rising airline refund scams

Dubai: Experts have issued a warning over a surge in scams targeting travellers waiting for airline ticket refunds, urging customers not to share sensitive banking details under any circumstances. They said fraudsters are exploiting delays in refund processing by impersonating airline or bank representatives and contacting victims with claims of “completing refund procedures” or “updating payment details”. These tactics are designed to extract confidential financial information and access bank accounts. Industry specialists noted that this type of fraud increases during peak travel seasons or when cancellations and rescheduling rates are high, as more customers actively follow up on refund requests. Salah Mansour, CEO of STS at Dubai Link Travel and Tourism Group, said the waiting period for refunds is a particularly sensitive stage for travellers. He explained that customers are often focused on tracking their money, making them more vulnerable to convincing messages offering to speed up the process. He warned that airlines typically refund money automatically to the original payment method and do not require customers to provide new card details or banking information. Any such request, he stressed, should be treated as a clear sign of fraud. Mansour also highlighted that customers who publicly post complaints on social media can become direct targets for scammers, who monitor such posts and initiate contact under the pretence of assistance. Experts added that fraudsters exploit digital tracking tools and targeted advertising to reach users who search online for refund information, presenting fake links and services that claim to help resolve issues. Sherif El-Faram, CEO of Serenity Travel, said many scam messages appear highly professional, often using airline logos and persuasive language such as “refund approved” or “update your payment method”. He warned that such messages typically contain links to fake websites designed to capture card numbers, expiry dates and security codes, enabling unauthorised transactions within minutes. Banking consultant Amjad Nasr said scammers take advantage of the “state of anticipation” among customers waiting for refunds, posing as airline or bank staff to request verification of account details. Nasr stressed that legitimate organisations never ask customers to share card details, passwords or verification codes via phone calls, emails or text messages. He advised travellers to verify all communications through official channels and avoid clicking on suspicious links. Experts agreed that the safest approach is to deal directly with airlines or travel agencies using official contact details, and to ignore unsolicited messages claiming to offer faster refunds or additional assistance.