Scammed by a fake UA call center {Consoldiated}
May 9, 2023, 12:27 pm
#226
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: Mileage Plus, Marriott Rewards, Southwest Rapid Rewards
Posts: 686
UA put the QR codes up. OP is stating they weren't able to connect to the live agent that staffs the website those QR codes link to.
The QR codes themselves aren't shady (although, admittedly, an enterprising person could put up a fake QR code and nobody at UA would notice for months).
The QR codes themselves aren't shady (although, admittedly, an enterprising person could put up a fake QR code and nobody at UA would notice for months).
May 9, 2023, 12:39 pm
#227
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,469
Hi all,
First thanks a ton for all your insight and advice. Greatly appreciated. Now for an update...
As most of you have already determined, we were not speaking to a UA agent. But there were plenty of opportunities for us to have noticed that. The email that arrived with the flight changes and charges to confirm was clearly marked with the actual name of the agency. And the agent's email address was also clearly indicating they were not UA. As for how we got there in the first place, there were notices all around the UA customer service area at EWR with a QR code to reach UA customer service on the phone rather than waiting in line. When we tried that there was no answer. It was at that point that the fateful google search turned up the fake number.
Also interesting is that two charges showed up on the credit card. One was from Emirates Air and one was from United. Not United Airlines, just United. So I'm guessing that the first one through Emirates is the actual cost of our tickets. The second is the cost of my error, charged through a merchant designed to look like an airline. They probably have several of these merchant accounts created to look like airline names.
One potential bright spot is that I have written confirmation of the promise of a refund for the unused EWRDXB UA flight. Oh, and there was nothing wrong with our return flight reservations, as some had suggested could have been the case. So if I don't get the refund I may try to use that as cause to dispute the additional charge. We will see.
All things considered, we did make it to Dubai for our meetings. And only money was lost. Live and learn.
Thanks again for all your help. Have a great day!
First thanks a ton for all your insight and advice. Greatly appreciated. Now for an update...
As most of you have already determined, we were not speaking to a UA agent. But there were plenty of opportunities for us to have noticed that. The email that arrived with the flight changes and charges to confirm was clearly marked with the actual name of the agency. And the agent's email address was also clearly indicating they were not UA. As for how we got there in the first place, there were notices all around the UA customer service area at EWR with a QR code to reach UA customer service on the phone rather than waiting in line. When we tried that there was no answer. It was at that point that the fateful google search turned up the fake number.
Also interesting is that two charges showed up on the credit card. One was from Emirates Air and one was from United. Not United Airlines, just United. So I'm guessing that the first one through Emirates is the actual cost of our tickets. The second is the cost of my error, charged through a merchant designed to look like an airline. They probably have several of these merchant accounts created to look like airline names.
One potential bright spot is that I have written confirmation of the promise of a refund for the unused EWRDXB UA flight. Oh, and there was nothing wrong with our return flight reservations, as some had suggested could have been the case. So if I don't get the refund I may try to use that as cause to dispute the additional charge. We will see.
All things considered, we did make it to Dubai for our meetings. And only money was lost. Live and learn.
Thanks again for all your help. Have a great day!
May 9, 2023, 1:26 pm
#228
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, Marco Polo Gold
Posts: 1,084
Moral of the story. Get a good travel agent that handles things for you personally and your go to for any changes. The service charge per ticket might seem excessive at first, especially if you're a frequent traveler, but trust me, as a 30-year flying veteran, it's worth it.
May 9, 2023, 1:46 pm
#230
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,148
Moral of the story. Get a good travel agent that handles things for you personally and your go to for any changes. The service charge per ticket might seem excessive at first, especially if you're a frequent traveler, but trust me, as a 30-year flying veteran, it's worth it.
May 9, 2023, 1:49 pm
#231
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
Moral of the story. Get a good travel agent that handles things for you personally and your go to for any changes. The service charge per ticket might seem excessive at first, especially if you're a frequent traveler, but trust me, as a 30-year flying veteran, it's worth it.
May 9, 2023, 1:51 pm
#232
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,167
The few clients that don't let me book my own travel do and it is beyond obnoxious....every time "well have our travel department take care of everything, you'll love them" turn into a "it would be so much less work if I could just do this myself"... One in particular at least I can just send my preferred UA flight #s and times over, they'll reply with that and an AA option that's 20% more expensive and then book the UA option...but it is still annoying ... I don't see the value but different strokes for different folks.
May 9, 2023, 3:01 pm
#233
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,515
May 11, 2023, 11:13 am
#234
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, Marco Polo Gold
Posts: 1,084
I would agree 98% of the times a travel agent seems like novelty and you're wondering if the added fee per ticket is really worth it. Until you hit a tropical storm/typhoon and 5000 passengers are competing against you to get out of the city ASAP, and then your call to the airlines has 6 hours wait time and most likely put you on the "next available flight" which is 5 days away. This is the time when a good travel agent (not the cheap ones, the ones that have special access with airlines) can work some magic for you and you'll be flying out as soon as the next seat becomes available. Like insurance, 98% of the times you don't need them and you're wondering are you wasting your money, until that 2% of the times S happens and you're glad someone competent is handling things for you, and while others are frantically calling airlines you sit in the bar drinking martini.
May 12, 2023, 11:51 am
#238
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Not to split hairs, but I do notice another poster who raised the idea a little bit earlier than that! 
(post 8)
(post 8)
May 12, 2023, 12:09 pm
#239
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,621
Still happening, neighbor recently "booked" international tickets from what he thought was a UA agent and was charged for services by "Bokito" . Saw the charges post before he even got off the phone and immediately cancelled all transactions through Chase in this case. Scams like this still exist and hard to believe people still fall for them.
