When you travel, it feels like every week there’s some new warning to watch out for — from scams at the airport to supposed dangers hiding in your hotel room. Some of these alerts are worth paying attention to, while others lean more toward clickbait. But every once in a while, a tip comes along that really could save you from a big headache.
There are plenty of warnings that the media gives travelers. Some absolutely legit, like:
- Things hotels tell each other about you
- Use a USB condom at hotels and airports
- Why you shouldn’t keep your hotel balcony door open
Others are part legit, part clickbait:
- How to avoid this stupid airport prank
- “Don’t use hotel hairdryers!” Here’s the truth about that
- Social Media Warns, “Don’t Print Out Your Boarding Pass.” Here’s What They Really Mean
There’s another one of those warnings going on and this one sounds like one of the more legitimate ones.
It all started on Reddit’s /delta subreddit, when someone who said they were a Delta baggage claims manager gave a warning in a post. They wanted passengers to be careful with the self-adhesive bag tags airlines use, and to not throw them out until they go home. And to shred them.
Not surprisingly, it got picked up by several mainstream media outlets (and a few not-so mainstream ones, too), including Buzzfeed, the local FOX affiliate in NYC, the New York Post, MSN news, Geekspin, and others.
What’s up with bag tags?
PC: Delta Air Lines
So let’s say you’ve just landed. The bag tag can get in the way and looks pretty ugly, so you tear it off your luggage handle and throw it into a trash can in the airport. Some cretins, who are purposely watching and waiting for just that opportune moment, are apparently fishing them out of the trash.
The tag has your name, flight number and bag tag code on it. They contact the airline – online, via phone, whatever – and file a false claim for a “missing item.” Like your tablet that you “left in the seat pocket.” Or your sweater that you “left in your seat.” Or your wedding ring, which you “mistakenly dropped in the lavatory toilet.”
Oh, and this can happen if you throw your bag tag into the trash can at your hotel, too.
The airlines don’t notice?
You’d hope that airlines would check each claim with a fine-toothed comb but, of course, they don’t; they want to get things done ASAP. If the passenger looks like their claim is legit, they let it go. And if the person making the false claim has a quick and easy account with your name attached, cha-ching, they could get a refund for your “lost” item.
And if this happens in your name more than once or twice, guess who’s going to look like the bad guy? Hint: it won’t be the person(s) who made false claims in your name. It’ll be the person who has your name. You.
The Delta manager also suggested that besides all the fake claims were starting to clog up legitimate claims. So there was that to worry about, too.
How can we prevent this?
Simplest way is to keep the bag tag with you (even if that means tearing it off and keeping it somewhere) until you get home, and then shredding it.
Feature Photo: (Cropped, color change): mroach / flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
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