Cheap travel seekers were advised to exercise extreme vigilance, particularly when interacting with individuals posing as corporate representatives on social media.

On Tuesday, August 22, the low-cost airline issued a warning to travelers about individuals impersonating as AirAsia Philippines representatives on social media. Many Facebook groups and users have declared themselves to be representatives of the AirAsia brand, even using it for unauthorised transactions and the sale of travel-related goods.

In addition to promoting dubious online transactions, such as job postings that led to phishing and other online frauds, these Facebook groups using the AirAsia name also encourage them. Ticketing, special offers, and other ancillary products can only be purchased through the airasia Superapp, the company’s website, and the more than 850 travel agent partners that AirAsia has around the nation.

First Officer Steve Dailisan, AirAsia Philippines Communications and Public Affairs Country Head, said, “We want to protect our guests from scams and other types of online fraud, especially since most transactions are at their fingertips.”

A recent survey of 1,005 Filipinos found that 51% of them reported having fallen victim to phishing, a type of fraud that gathers passwords, credit card numbers, and personal information. On trustworthy online retail websites, however, 33 percent of users were scammed by third parties.

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group said that during January to June 2023, there were 4,104 new cases of cybercrime. Dailisan stressed that only airasia.com or the airasia Superapp should be used to acquire personal data from AirAsia Philippines customers.

“Immediately cancel the transaction and report them to the appropriate authorities if a group or someone claiming to represent our brand asks for your personal information or demands money,” advised Dailisan.