While it's normal and fun to document your travels on social media, sharing too much information can lead to identity theft. For example, last week a 26-year-old man was arrested for pretending to be another passenger and boarding a Delta flight without a ticket.
The New York Times reports that the rogue traveler was able to board a plane at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) using a screenshot of a boarding pass taken when the other person was not looking. It is said that Although it's a bit of a shock, this isn't the first time people have discovered how to successfully board a plane without a ticket, or even get through airport security and board a plane without a ticket.
It is important to protect yourself and your travel documents while traveling.
Learn tips to protect your boarding passes and other important travel documents.
buy screen protector
Boonchai Wedmakhawand/Getty Images
You can't prevent someone from looking over your shoulder at your phone, but a screen protector makes it significantly more difficult. The screen will be dark to anyone other than the person holding the phone.
A screen protector could have potentially prevented, or at least made it significantly more difficult, the aforementioned Delta passenger from exploiting an innocent flyer. According to the New York Times, the villain “took cell phone photos of several passengers in the Delta flight area while they weren't looking” and used those photos to board the plane. The newspaper also reported that the man successfully passed through TSA security at SLC using a photo ID and boarding pass, but it was not clear whose boarding pass he used.
Therefore, a screen protector is probably the simplest step you can take to protect your boarding pass. Honestly, you should think of your boarding pass as a credit card with important information on it. Her QR code on the digital boarding pass used by many travelers is also very valuable. You will be provided with a passenger name record, which is a 6-digit alphanumeric code.
According to Turkish airline Pegasus, a traveler's PNR is unique to an individual's booking and acts as a “digital certificate that allows passengers to check-in online and manage their reservations in a short time.” “This code allows passengers to manage their bookings, such as reprinting a lost ticket or printing a ticket at the airport. So, after purchasing a ticket, a passenger can use the code must be kept.”
Therefore, the PNR code unlocks the traveler's name. According to Ben Smithson, a senior writer at TPG, this means that reservations can be accessed to find out additional personal information (information that identifies characteristics such as date of birth, age, height, etc.) and further information needed. This also means that affected parties can cancel their reservations online accordingly.
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“The same information can also be retrieved by scanning the PNR code on the photo with a QR reader,” he warned.
With nearly 120,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, this Ailun Glass Screen Protector 3-Pack is worth the $5.99 price in exchange for the added peace of mind.
Do not expose sensitive information in real time
Similarly, refrain from sharing your PNR or boarding pass on social media. These are important pieces of information that allow you to share your location. The same goes for specific flight information and final destinations.
Another good rule of thumb for all travelers, especially female solo travelers, is to avoid sharing your exact location in real time while traveling. Even posting clues about where you're staying, such as the interior of a restaurant, let alone the exact location, may provide enough information for someone to locate you.
For example, you may remember when Kim Kardashian was stolen from $10 million worth of jewelry in Paris in 2016 after a thief identified her online as having stayed at the Hotel de Pourtales for two years. .
If you're a travel influencer and sharing recommendations, consider waiting to post hotels, restaurants, and activities until you leave the site.
Please be aware of your surroundings
©Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images
It may seem obvious, but when you travel, you need to be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. Doing so may help you notice and potentially stop scammers, like the aforementioned Delta passenger, from misusing your personal documents and belongings.
If you've ever been to Europe, you've probably been warned about petty theft. Although violent crime is more common in the United States than in the United States, violent crime is more common overseas, and thieves tend to target tourists, especially wallet snatching, pickpocketing, and cell phone snatching. This especially occurs in popular tourist areas such as city centers and tourist attractions.
Do your best to avoid identifying yourself as a tourist and keep your head on track.
put everything in the bag
Disorganization while traveling can put us at risk. Once you arrive at your destination, it is recommended that you store your travel documents in a safe place, such as a hotel safe, but to keep your documents and important belongings safe, it is best to travel with a secure wallet. Please also consider
TPG Editorial Director Andrea Rotondo recommends this Travelon Anti-Theft Class Small East/West Crossbody Bag with RFDI blocking pockets, rash-resistant material and straps, and interlocking zipper pulls.
“I wear a handbag, so this feels pretty safe,” she told me. Plus, at 10.5″ x 8″, it's large enough to fold up and throw into a larger purse or suitcase if you want to switch it up while traveling.
If you don't carry a handbag with you when you travel, like TPG video director Ayana Morari, use a backpack with hidden pockets to store items during your airport trip. Then, when you arrive, switch to a hidden pocket in your suitcase.
Take a photo of your travel documents and save it in a safe place
Luis Alvarez/Getty Images
According to the U.S. Department of State, it is recommended that you make copies of your travel documents on your cell phone, especially when abroad. The ministry also asks people to leave a copy of their passport with a trusted friend or relative and carry the copy separately from the original.
This is important because if you need to replace a passport you lost abroad, the photocopied passport will also serve as proof of your U.S. citizenship.
“I also had a photo of my passport sent to me by email in case I lost it abroad,” Ayana said. To keep it more secure, TPG social media director Caroline English suggests storing your passport and other information in a password manager like her 1Password.
conclusion
If you've read this far, you might be dreading your next trip, but I hope this piece will do the opposite. If anything, we hope these tips will empower you as a traveler.
Whether you're traveling alone as a woman, with your aging baby boomer parents, or with someone who considers themselves an expert traveler, you can never be too safe.
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