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Am I being Scammed? (Stranger offer to gift MCE)

Am I being Scammed? (Stranger offer to gift MCE)

Old Jul 22, 2019, 2:15 pm
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
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Another that may happen, is after the first communication, they then ask you for your AAdvantage number...and then eventually they need your password to make it happen...and then since many use the same passwords across sites, they have access to a wealth of information and can start stealing your frequent flier miles, money, etc.. And there are plenty of people who will fall for this type of thing every day.
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 2:28 pm
  #17  
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Yep, saw it, thank you! Still getting used to Reddit! I'll have to give them a call. I'm a very infrequent flier, so wasn't sure what to do.
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 2:28 pm
  #18  
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Originally Posted by ashill
With the information requested, could one cancel the ticket, pay the $300 or whatever it is change fee, and use the residual value to buy a new ticket (and then sell it to someone else for $500 so that person gets stuck with a ticket that AA would probably cancel when the OP calls in)? That's my best guess for what a fraudster would be trying to do here.
Not likely because the reissue will be in the passenger's name or the paper voucher mailed to the passenger.

But,.more to the point, people who provide information such as this on sites such as this are likely to have provided other information over time. There are entire operations which scour social media profiles for bits of information. Doesn't take long before they've also got a full address, date of birth and at least last 4 of some CC and Social.

There may well be someone out there who really is the Nigerian Prince and wants to give you $15 Million. But, it's not likely.
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 2:30 pm
  #19  
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Join Date: Jul 2019
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Thanks Everyone, I really appreciate the input. Not gonna touch this one, and may just cough up the $ for the upgrade. Any tips on getting upgrades at possibly cheaper amounts?

(and thanks no1cub17 , that's my next step is to give them a call!)
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 2:33 pm
  #20  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
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Its hard enough to get someone who's related to you on the same flight as you into an empty MCE without paying the fee because they are not on the same PNR (ticket /record locator) much less a complete stranger. Also hard to believe someone who flys all the time would not know that.
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 2:45 pm
  #21  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
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Scam scam scam
this is nothing but scam
dont call dont follow up
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 2:45 pm
  #22  
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Originally Posted by AAdamE
Its hard enough to get someone who's related to you on the same flight as you into an empty MCE without paying the fee because they are not on the same PNR (ticket /record locator) much less a complete stranger. Also hard to believe someone who flys all the time would not know that.
Not that difficult to get someone with a different name and address in a MCE seat next to you, even if the ticket in on another PNR . I have done it quite a bit
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 2:50 pm
  #23  
 
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Originally Posted by GNRMatt
Another that may happen, is after the first communication, they then ask you for your AAdvantage number...and then eventually they need your password to make it happen...and then since many use the same passwords across sites, they have access to a wealth of information and can start stealing your frequent flier miles, money, etc.. And there are plenty of people who will fall for this type of thing every day.
Ahh ... that makes more sense. Basically, someone is using Reddit for spear phishing, a little at a time.
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 3:13 pm
  #24  
 
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Was the thoughtful Reddit user's name Pond Walden?
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 3:24 pm
  #25  
 
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Originally Posted by Uzzar
Are you sure? I think they can cancel your entire reservation with just that info...
And probably find a way to make sure any rebate goes to them.

Let's all sing the chorus: "If it's too good to be true, it's ...too.....gooooood .....to be true",
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 3:35 pm
  #26  
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Knowing it's probably a scam, I would play along and see where it goes..
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 3:41 pm
  #27  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
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Originally Posted by TomMM
Knowing it's probably a scam, I would play along and see where it goes..
I sure wouldn't play along if it involves providing personal information, including flight details.
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 3:43 pm
  #28  
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Originally Posted by TomMM
Knowing it's probably a scam, I would play along and see where it goes..
That is the worst kind of advice. Responding at all may well provide data which you don't want the scammers to have. Leave it alone and move on with life.

If indeed the Nigerian Prince does wire OP the $15 Million, he won't have to worry about whether or not this is a scam. He can simply buy himself F tickets and be done with it.
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 4:03 pm
  #29  
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Many ways to play game without giving up information. But yes, you are correct. Wouldn't recommend it to a novice.
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Old Jul 22, 2019, 4:24 pm
  #30  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Originally Posted by TomMM
Knowing it's probably a scam, I would play along and see where it goes..
scambaiters....

https://www.419eater.com/
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