US Airways and Delta report latest phishing scams

By Dorine Reinstein

US Airways is the latest victim of a phishing scam involving fraudulent e-mail messages that notify customers about travel itineraries they never made, prompting them to reveal personal or financial details online.

Kim Cochrane, consulting editor of TNW's sister publication, BTN, received a fraudulent message notifying her to check-in online between 24 hours and one hour before departure on a US Airways flight. She had made no booking with the airline.

On its website the airline explains that some customers have reported receiving fraudulent emails claiming to be from US Airways.

The airline adds: “Email phishing is a type of fraud committed to gain your personal information. A phishing email may include a fake confirmation number or ask you to change your account information and link you to a site that’s not usairways.com. Once there, you may be asked for your personal information. Some phishing emails may also have attachments or links to a site with malware that can infect your computer. If you receive a suspicious email, do not click on any links or open any attachments.

The airline warned:

•    Be suspicious of emails that begin with something generic like ‘Dear user’ or ‘Dear customer’ and that have typos or bad grammar.
•    Many of our emails include your name and Dividend Miles number. Our Web Check-in email doesn’t have your name, but it has your valid confirmation code, which is never all numbers. It should be either alphanumeric or all letters.
•    Before you click, check the link by hovering your mouse pointer over it and identifying what URL (website) is displayed. A legitimate link will have a website address/URL with ‘usairways.com.’

US Airways says some of its customers have received fraudulent letters and postcards claiming to be from a company called US Airlines and offering free airline tickets. The airline warns not to call the number or give anyone personal information.

US Airways is not the only airline that has been plagued by phishing scams recently. Delta has received reports from customers of fraudulent emails claiming to be from Delta Air Lines. These emails claim that the recipient has purchased a Delta ticket, that a credit card has been charged, an invoice or receipt is attached or that they may print their electronic ticket from an attachment. If customers receive one of these emails, they should not open the attachment as it may contain potentially dangerous viruses or harm computers. Delta did not send these emails and its customers' credit cards have not been charged by Delta as a result of the emails.

The airline has recommended customers to change their SkyMiles account PIN immediately and monitor their account for any misuse.