AirAsia Philippines on Wednesday warned the public about suspicious social media pages offering cheap domestic and international fares bundled with hotel accommodation, tours, and other activities.
The airline has been a target of online scams, often leading to fake bookings that cannot be retrieved during check-in procedures.
A victim claimed to have been enticed by a P1,999 all-in deal, which turned out to be a scam after the alleged agent went offline.
Steve Dailisan, the airline’s chief information officer, advised travelers to visit only AirAsia’s legitimate social media platforms, such as Fly AirAsia, where information on flight schedules and promos is 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,” he said.
The Asia Scam Report reveals that 24.8 percent of Filipinos respond too quickly to the scammers’ demands, while 21.1 percent choose to take a risk despite uncertainties about the online offering.
Some bogus social media accounts contain dangerous clickbait posts leading to malicious websites that often result in hacking.
Dailisan advised the public to think twice before closing an online transaction, transact only from verified profiles and brand accounts, double-check with other legitimate sources, and always have reservations if the offer is too good to be true.
On Monday, Philippine Airlines (PAL) also cautioned the public against unscrupulous individuals using fake accounts on social media and spreading bogus information.
The PAL management is referring to the Facebook account “Philippine Airlines – Main Page” stating:
“The Antimonopoly Committee obliged Philippines Airlines to sell part of its air tickets at a low price. In this regard, the company organized a promotion – a Philippines Airlines certificate for 6 months of free flights for only P168. To participate, click the “Apply Now” button at the bottom of the post and receive your card with free delivery.”
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna clarified that this is a bogus account and there is no such promotion from the airline.