Outsmart the scam: Expert tips for travelling safely
From fake airline websites to convincing flight change emails, online scammers are getting better at making their schemes look real. Your trip usually begins online, from finding inspiration to booking flights. Timo Arndal, our Director of Digital Risk & Cybersecurity, shares his expert tips on spotting warning signs and protecting your journey.
Cybersecurity is part of a safe travel experience
Planning a holiday should be one of life’s pleasures – browsing dream destinations, imagining the adventures ahead, and finally clicking “book.” But for some, that moment of excitement can be spoiled by scams that strike at crucial moments in the booking process.
“Safety isn’t just about the flight itself – it begins the moment you start planning,” Timo says. “We want our customers to feel confident that they’re booking securely and that their entire journey will be stress-free, including a safe digital journey with us.”
Behind the scenes, Timo’s team tracks emerging threats, investigates suspicious activity, and responds to incidents, ensuring that your digital journey is protected from start to finish.
How scams try to catch you out
Criminals often copy real airline websites using similar visuals or send fake notifications about flight changes. They know the perfect time to strike is when you’re most excited about your trip and keen to secure a deal.
Common scam tactics include:
- Creating fraudulent websites that mimic Finnair to steal your personal data
- Phishing for login credentials to access your Finnair account
- Reselling our tickets with added hidden fees
- Selling fake tickets that don’t exist
- Adding extra charges to “unbeatable” prices while pretending to be Finnair
- Sending fake cancellation notices to harvest personal details
- Misleading you into calling fake customer service numbers or interacting with fake social media accounts
- Using Google Ads to appear above our official website in search results
One real-life example is a fraudulent website designed to imitate Finnair, with small differences in the address and layout. Customers are lured into these sites through links shared in fraudulent messages via email, social media, SMS, or by utilising Google Ads to appear first in your search results. Some of the sites are utilised to steal your personal data or credentials to an airline’s loyalty program, while some utilise other malicious means.
“Some fake sites are poorly created and do not resemble our official website that much, while others look very convincing,” Timo says. “Always double-check that you’re on our official site: www.finnair.com.”
Our expert tips for safe booking and online experience
“At Finnair, your safety is our priority – in the air, on the ground and online. We work hard to keep our digital channels secure, but as our customer, you also play a key role in helping us protect your online safety – and there are many ways you can do that,” Timo emphasises.
Enable two-factor authentication
By enabling two-factor authentication on your Finnair Plus account, you help us keep your personal information and Avios safe. This security feature helps protect your Finnair Plus account by verifying your identity in two ways when you log in.
Book and log in directly
The safest way to book your flight and avoid online scams is through finnair.com or the Finnair app. If you need to manage your booking or check in, always do so directly on our website or app – rather than clicking suspicious links. Always make sure the URL reads exactly finnair.com – scammers often add extra words or swap letters to trick you.
Watch out for social media scams
Fake Finnair profiles are increasingly appearing on social media, sending messages or replying to customers who comment on our posts or tag us. These scammers often ask for personal information or try to lure users into contacting them directly.
Please note that we only communicate through our official Finnair accounts and do not have Finnair representatives using separate profiles. Avoid sharing personal information publicly and never click on unsolicited links from unofficial accounts.
Be aware of search engine ad scams
An airline Google ad scam refers to fraudulent advertisements that impersonate legitimate airlines to steal money or personal information. These ads often appear at the top of search results and may direct users to scam phone numbers or fake websites.
Scammers typically target people looking for help with flight bookings, changes, or cancellations. To avoid these scams, never click on suspicious ads, and always make sure you are interacting with us through contact details found on finnair.com, or through Finnair app.
Safeguard your tickets
If you get any message of a change or cancellation, verify it came from Finnair. The same goes for emails – always check the sender’s email address carefully, a single wrong letter can mean the message is fake.
“Also, keep in mind that your boarding pass isn’t just a travel ticket – it’s a key to your personal information. Posting it online can expose you to identity theft, hacked accounts, and travel disruptions,” Timo points out.
Don’t rush
Scammers thrive on urgency. If a deal or warning comes with a countdown, pause and think before acting.
Always double-check you’re on our official website, finnair.com
Staying ahead together
We work closely with industry partners to identify and take down impersonation sites before they can harm customers. But because your personal data and access credentials are valuable to scammers, new ones continue to emerge.
“Staying safe online doesn’t have to be complicated,” Timo says. “With a few simple checks and a bit of vigilance, you can better protect your personal details – and make sure the only surprises on your trip are the pleasant ones.”