One of the favorite moments for Brazilians during the year to buy plane tickets and accommodations is the Black Friday. A study conducted by Google in July 2024 shows that the date promises to be relevant: 72% of consumers surveyed would like to have some kind of travel offer. In the general products ranking, the study showed that among the most desired items during that period, travels are in seventh place, with 15% preference.
Marcelo Linhares, CEO of Onfly, the largest B2B travel tech in Latin America, mentions that the fraud of non-existent airline tickets is one of the main scams, where consumers buy tickets on fake websites that mimic companies that actually exist. “On Black Friday, scammers become bolder, offering unreal promotions that will never be fulfilled. Offers like tickets to the Maldives for R$ 4,000 or flights to São Paulo for R$ 69 are typical examples of these impossible situations,” he explains.
In addition, there is an increase in phishing practices, where malicious emails, websites, and messages pretend to be promotions from well-known companies to request personal or payment data.
Tips to avoid fraud during Black Friday
- Check the site’s reputation: research the company before completing the purchase and always check if the site’s domain matches the official company’s. Opting to make purchases through traditional travel agencies or well-known platforms can reduce the risk of fraud;
- Beware of fake URLs: Be mindful of sites that visually copy legitimate ones but make slight alterations to the URL address. These details could indicate frauds;
- Check the company’s social media: Dissatisfied consumers often lodge complaints through tourism-focused companies’ social media. Requests for refunds and reviews can reveal scams or recurring service complaints;
- Use a credit card: Credit cards offer better protection against frauds and the ability to dispute charges in case of issues. Scammers often offer larger discounts for payments via PIX, as money cannot be recovered through this payment method.
