Scammed by a fake UA call center {Consoldiated}
May 8, 2023, 4:36 pm
#196
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
Only thing to add for OP beyond whats been already said regarding checking your reservation to make sure your return in order (which I suspect it is, the "600 credit" they gave was probably from voluntarily adjusting the ticket to be the one way return only), is to write in to UA separately at united.com/feedback to let them know about the scam number you encountered when trying to find the correct UA contact information. They take these cases seriously and their corporate security department works extensively to get these types of scams shut down when they pop up. .It's unlikely to be able to get you your money back, but sending it in ensures a case gets opened for the right department to investigate it and reduce the chance others get scammed, and who knows they might even throw some goodwill your way.
In this case, did they just buy an EK flight for the OP? Wouldn't UA cancel the rest of the reservation for a missed flight?
Seems very strange how this whole scam actually works.
May 8, 2023, 4:55 pm
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
Yes, probably with a significant service charge passed along.
OP needs to check that, but in general, the agent would have had the same ability to make changes that the caller did, including dropping a flight segment.
It only works because the agents actually do what they say they're doing -- which is why they're difficult to defeat in a chargeback. OP agreed to the charge, and they provided the service that OP asked for. Would OP have been willing to pay the service charge if the scammers had been up front? Probably not, which is why there's so much deception. But, at the end of the day, it's as if Scam Travel, Inc. was your travel agent from the beginning.
May 8, 2023, 5:59 pm
#198
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
Not meaning to pile-on, but a traveler should always have their carrier's CS phone # committed to memory or loaded into their contacts. Also, it can be very helpful if you look at all the rerouting options online before you get on the phone with CS. If you already know the flights you want when you call, things will move faster.
The United app has a "Contact us" section, Delta, AA, LH, LX, SQ and Air Canada all have similar sections - this way i don't have to remember a myriad of numbers - you will also have a lengthy hold most of the time, if you don't have high status and get thru immediately - something is probably wrong.
May 8, 2023, 6:14 pm
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
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Also since the OP has not flown the EWR-DXB leg on his original ticket, the subsequent portions could be automatically cancelled unless action is taken.
May 8, 2023, 6:51 pm
#200
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 28
I suspect they simply pull up the PNR on United.com with the information provided by the caller.
Yes, probably with a significant service charge passed along.
OP needs to check that, but in general, the agent would have had the same ability to make changes that the caller did, including dropping a flight segment.
It only works because the agents actually do what they say they're doing -- which is why they're difficult to defeat in a chargeback. OP agreed to the charge, and they provided the service that OP asked for. Would OP have been willing to pay the service charge if the scammers had been up front? Probably not, which is why there's so much deception. But, at the end of the day, it's as if Scam Travel, Inc. was your travel agent from the beginning.
Yes, probably with a significant service charge passed along.
OP needs to check that, but in general, the agent would have had the same ability to make changes that the caller did, including dropping a flight segment.
It only works because the agents actually do what they say they're doing -- which is why they're difficult to defeat in a chargeback. OP agreed to the charge, and they provided the service that OP asked for. Would OP have been willing to pay the service charge if the scammers had been up front? Probably not, which is why there's so much deception. But, at the end of the day, it's as if Scam Travel, Inc. was your travel agent from the beginning.
May 8, 2023, 7:00 pm
#201
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 5,000
May 8, 2023, 7:02 pm
#202
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
I’m just curious though, what happens when you call the number and what do they say when answering the phone? If the person answering misrepresents themselves as United, it would seem that’s fraud and could be disputed with the credit card company. But I guess if they just purchased the ticket on the EK website and the segment was flown, that would be more difficult, but I would still argue that the caller thought they were authorizing United to make the charge, not the scam company. Maybe I answered my own question. Interesting all around…
May 8, 2023, 7:29 pm
#203
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,329
Don’t use that number!! It’s a scam! Don’t do it!
next time, you have to tell your real agent at the gate, not on the phone. Just go to see your gate agent!
Don’t call the fake agents. It’s very dangerous. They will steal your money. Just stay away from there!
next time, you have to tell your real agent at the gate, not on the phone. Just go to see your gate agent!
Don’t call the fake agents. It’s very dangerous. They will steal your money. Just stay away from there!
May 8, 2023, 8:16 pm
#204
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
May 8, 2023, 9:09 pm
#205
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Neither the email itin or the PDF BPs have the UA reservations telephone number (when preinted or electronic). Finding it on the app is a challenge
May 8, 2023, 9:46 pm
#206
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,126
May 8, 2023, 10:08 pm
#207
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
And doubtful a non-status flyer carries a card. I would guess many elites do not carry a carry which has not been provided for years.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 8, 2023 at 10:16 pm Reason: phyiscal card are not longer provided
May 8, 2023, 10:23 pm
#208
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,126
On the android app, there are no backs displayed as it was years ago. But there is a Contact Us button on the card display and that then leads to a phone number -- as I said it was a bit of a challenge to find and it was not the first place I would look and certainty not for a less frequent flyer to find. Took 6 taps to get to. UA could make this a bit easier to find.
And doubtful a non-status flyer carries a card. I would guess many elites do not carry a carry which has not been provided for years.
And doubtful a non-status flyer carries a card. I would guess many elites do not carry a carry which has not been provided for years.
May 8, 2023, 11:34 pm
#209
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 5,000
May 9, 2023, 12:07 am
#210
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,888
When I travel internationally I always have printed tickets. I don't want to be handing my phone to anyone for a number of reasons. But happy to let them look at a printout.