Anyone experienced security problems with EAU?
Dec 5, 2000 | 9:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: San Francisco (Marin County), CA
Programs: UA Lifetime 1K, LH Senator, SQ PPS Solitaire, Hyatt Courtesy Card
Posts: 3,031
Anyone experienced security problems with EAU?
I would like to know if anyone has experienced security probelms with EAU and/or FlyerTalk, and I would welcome replies in private email or posted in public. I am making this request based on the following.
About a week ago, I received email indicating that I had been upgraded on some transcontinental flights. I was not booked to fly these flights. I called CO's Elite Line, and had a lengthy discussion culminating in speaking with corporate security.
It seems someone hijacked my OnePass account number, in one way or another. Here's what I know. Someone registered for OnePass somewhere in the San Francisco area, and obtained a OnePass account in my name. They booked flights, and paid for them in cash. Somehow, my FF# ended up on their PNR, and they got upgraded. They were met by San Francisco police at SFO, I do not know if they were arrested, but I do know that they were not really someone else with my name. They were named something else. I do not know if they had a photo ID with my name on it or not.
They had obtained my FF#, but I do not believe they had my PIN number, and no miles were missing from my account, although they did get a transcon Elite upgrade.
I guess the thing that concerns me most is that I am thinking someone might have culled my name off of this board, and I am wondering if anyone else has had such an experience?
I thought twice about posting this, but, my name is already all over this board, and my account is now on double-secret-probation, so...
About a week ago, I received email indicating that I had been upgraded on some transcontinental flights. I was not booked to fly these flights. I called CO's Elite Line, and had a lengthy discussion culminating in speaking with corporate security.
It seems someone hijacked my OnePass account number, in one way or another. Here's what I know. Someone registered for OnePass somewhere in the San Francisco area, and obtained a OnePass account in my name. They booked flights, and paid for them in cash. Somehow, my FF# ended up on their PNR, and they got upgraded. They were met by San Francisco police at SFO, I do not know if they were arrested, but I do know that they were not really someone else with my name. They were named something else. I do not know if they had a photo ID with my name on it or not.
They had obtained my FF#, but I do not believe they had my PIN number, and no miles were missing from my account, although they did get a transcon Elite upgrade.
I guess the thing that concerns me most is that I am thinking someone might have culled my name off of this board, and I am wondering if anyone else has had such an experience?
I thought twice about posting this, but, my name is already all over this board, and my account is now on double-secret-probation, so...
Dec 5, 2000 | 9:36 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: TPA & MCO
Programs: DL Diamond, AA EXP & UA Gold
Posts: 3,051
I wonder what Photo ID they were planning to show the agent?
Dec 5, 2000 | 11:59 am
#3
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Smoke filled room, TPA and FLL/MIA :UAL 1K and 2MM,AA EX PLAT and 2MM,Lifetime Plat Starwood
Posts: 4,318
On a more postive note. As long as no miles were withdrawn...
Did you get credit for "YOUR" cross country flight? I like the idea of others flying and earning miles for me! Think of how quick you could earn Platinum!
Did you get credit for "YOUR" cross country flight? I like the idea of others flying and earning miles for me! Think of how quick you could earn Platinum!
Dec 5, 2000 | 1:59 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
It sounds really weird and strange, but I cannot see how this can be, or should be, related to EAU or to security for that matter. If anything, it brought a strange situation and/or quirk to light by your quick observation and action. Nice job! Almost every traveler has from 1 to 12 plastic tags dangling from their bags complete with a ff number.....and/or a readable or concealed name and address tag close to it. Anyone can pull a bag from a luggage belt, read/remove the tags, and quickly put it back on with no one the wiser. I too am curious if "extra" miles show up in your account, and if so.......?
Dec 5, 2000 | 4:10 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: San Francisco (Marin County), CA
Programs: UA Lifetime 1K, LH Senator, SQ PPS Solitaire, Hyatt Courtesy Card
Posts: 3,031
The miles did post to my account, and CO never mentioned removing them, so maybe I will get to keep them.
I found out since I posted this morning, this person did have a photo ID with my name on it. I wonder if they got my name off this board, or, perhaps, I did drop a luggae tag or something, and it is unrelated. Without my PIN, its just free miles for me and free upgrades for them, but, it is spooky to think someone you don't know has hijacked your account number, and I didn't want to put up with it.
Plus, I fly a lot and so inevitably, not knowing this persons plans, I would have alerted security anyway with an impossible same-day routing or something.
EAU actually was a plus in this regard, it was what alerted me. I meant to say int he topic, has EAU *alerted* anyone else to behavior like this.
Seems like so far, this might be an isolated incident.
[This message has been edited by thesilb (edited 12-05-2000).]
I found out since I posted this morning, this person did have a photo ID with my name on it. I wonder if they got my name off this board, or, perhaps, I did drop a luggae tag or something, and it is unrelated. Without my PIN, its just free miles for me and free upgrades for them, but, it is spooky to think someone you don't know has hijacked your account number, and I didn't want to put up with it.
Plus, I fly a lot and so inevitably, not knowing this persons plans, I would have alerted security anyway with an impossible same-day routing or something.
EAU actually was a plus in this regard, it was what alerted me. I meant to say int he topic, has EAU *alerted* anyone else to behavior like this.
Seems like so far, this might be an isolated incident.
[This message has been edited by thesilb (edited 12-05-2000).]
Dec 5, 2000 | 5:23 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Ipswich, Ma.
Posts: 7
In the recent past I have found several boarding pass stubs and E-ticket reciepts both in the seat pocket on the plane and at the E-check in center in the airport. Remember that these receipts and boarding stubs contain your name, status, and account number. This is one way that person may have gotten your info.
[This message has been edited by kc90s17 (edited 12-05-2000).]
[This message has been edited by kc90s17 (edited 12-05-2000).]