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Scottish Sun
21-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Holiday warning over easy passport and boarding pass mistakes that could land you with a hefty bill worth £1,000s
Plus, we've revealed how to go about reporting scams TAKE NOTE Holiday warning over easy passport and boarding pass mistakes that could land you with a hefty bill worth £1,000s Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOLIDAYMAKERS are being warned that simple mistakes with passports or boarding passes could end up costing thousands of pounds. Experts say losing your passport or throwing away your boarding pass could leave you unable to travel or stuck with surprise bills. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 An example of a dark web seller offering sales of passport scans Another key blunder includes saving a scanned copy of your passports on your digital devices. Cybercriminals are targeting travel documents, with stolen passports, boarding passes, and hotel bookings being sold for thousands on the dark web. Research from NordVPN and Saily has uncovered thousands of stolen travel details being traded online, putting Brits at risk of identity theft and financial scams. Verified UK passports are among the most valuable, selling for over £4,000 if they're valid and uncompromised. When passports are recorded as missing or stolen and invalidated, the risk of fraud is reduced, but such documents can still slip past some companies with more relaxed reviewing procedures. Even older, invalid passports can fetch up to £8 and may still slip through lax security checks. Boarding passes and airline loyalty accounts are also hot commodities, with criminals using them to steal frequent flyer miles or access personal information. Hackers have also targeted hotel bookings made through popular platforms like selling reservations at steep £200 discounts or claiming refunds to their own accounts. Cybercriminals use malware to scan devices for sensitive files like passport scans, hack email accounts to retrieve travel documents, or exploit data breaches at airlines and travel agencies. Physical mistakes, such as leaving boarding passes behind at airports or sharing passport scans on insecure cloud folders, can also make travellers easy targets. Major warning over emergency social welfare scam texts as thousands could be targeted Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at NordVPN, said: "The best way you can protect yourself against these types of fraud is to ensure that all of your devices are kept updated with antivirus software and make sure that anything related to your holiday booking is saved in a secure place. "If you have been asked by your travel agent to send over a copy of your passport, don't be afraid to ask them what they do with that scan once your booking has been completed. "Take precautions in the airport too, and don't leave boarding passes in public places, as even these have enough information to put you at risk of identity fraud." Ultimately, to stay safe, travellers should secure their documents and avoid discarding boarding passes or sharing passport scans carelessly. was contacted for comment. How to report scams If you think you have been a victim of a scam, you should report it as soon as possible. There is no guarantee you'll get your money back, but banks will often compensate you if you can show you did not know the money would leave your account. You can forward scam emails to report@ If you notice a website that doesn't look quite right, you can also report it to the National Cyber Security Centre by visiting You should also contact your provider and report it to Action Fraud, which will give you a crime reference number. You can do this online by visiting or by calling 0300 123 2040. If you're in Scotland, report a scam through Advice Direct Scotland online by visiting You can also report scams to Police Scotland on 101. If you need further help, contact Citizens Advice Scams Action by visiting or calling 0808 223 1133.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- The Sun
Holiday warning over easy passport and boarding pass mistakes that could land you with a hefty bill worth £1,000s
HOLIDAYMAKERS are being warned that simple mistakes with passports or boarding passes could end up costing thousands of pounds. Experts say losing your passport or throwing away your boarding pass could leave you unable to travel or stuck with surprise bills. 1 Another key blunder includes saving a scanned copy of your passports on your digital devices. Cybercriminals are targeting travel documents, with stolen passports, boarding passes, and hotel bookings being sold for thousands on the dark web. Research from NordVPN and Saily has uncovered thousands of stolen travel details being traded online, putting Brits at risk of identity theft and financial scams. Verified UK passports are among the most valuable, selling for over £4,000 if they're valid and uncompromised. When passports are recorded as missing or stolen and invalidated, the risk of fraud is reduced, but such documents can still slip past some companies with more relaxed reviewing procedures. Even older, invalid passports can fetch up to £8 and may still slip through lax security checks. Boarding passes and airline loyalty accounts are also hot commodities, with criminals using them to steal frequent flyer miles or access personal information. Hackers have also targeted hotel bookings made through popular platforms like selling reservations at steep £200 discounts or claiming refunds to their own accounts. Cybercriminals use malware to scan devices for sensitive files like passport scans, hack email accounts to retrieve travel documents, or exploit data breaches at airlines and travel agencies. Physical mistakes, such as leaving boarding passes behind at airports or sharing passport scans on insecure cloud folders, can also make travellers easy targets. Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at NordVPN, said: "The best way you can protect yourself against these types of fraud is to ensure that all of your devices are kept updated with antivirus software and make sure that anything related to your holiday booking is saved in a secure place. "If you have been asked by your travel agent to send over a copy of your passport, don't be afraid to ask them what they do with that scan once your booking has been completed. "Take precautions in the airport too, and don't leave boarding passes in public places, as even these have enough information to put you at risk of identity fraud." Ultimately, to stay safe, travellers should secure their documents and avoid discarding boarding passes or sharing passport scans carelessly. was contacted for comment. How to report scams If you think you have been a victim of a scam, you should report it as soon as possible. There is no guarantee you'll get your money back, but banks will often compensate you if you can show you did not know the money would leave your account. You can forward scam emails to report@ If you notice a website that doesn't look quite right, you can also report it to the National Cyber Security Centre by visiting You should also contact your provider and report it to Action Fraud, which will give you a crime reference number. You can do this online by visiting or by calling 0300 123 2040. If you're in Scotland, report a scam through Advice Direct Scotland online by visiting You can also report scams to Police Scotland on 101. If you need further help, contact Citizens Advice Scams Action by visiting or calling 0808 223 1133. Action Fraud's advice on holiday fraud THINIKNG about booking a holiday this year? Follow our top tips to avoid falling victim to holiday fraud DO YOUR RESEARCH: Before committing and booking your dream holiday, make sure that you do a thorough online search to ensure the company is credible. PAY SAFELY: If you have a credit card, use it when shopping online. Most major credit card providers protect online purchases. LOOK FOR LOGOS: Check if a travel company is an ABTA, the Travel Association, member or an ATOL holder. Look for the ABTA logo on the company's website. If you have any doubts, you can verify their membership of ABTA online on their website. If you're booking a flight as part of a package holiday and want to find out more information about ATOL protection, visit the ATOL website. STAY SAFE ONLINE: Use three random words to create a strong email password that's different from all your other passwords. If two-step verification is available, always enable it. WATCH FOR SUSPICIOUS MESSAGES: Be cautious of unexpected emails or messages offering unrealistic holiday deals. If you receive a suspicious email, report it by forwarding it to: report@ PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION: Only fill in the mandatory details on a website when making a purchase. If possible, don't create an account for the online store when making your payment. BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: Be sceptical of unrealistic holiday deals. If they sound too good to be true, they probably are. Exercise caution and research before making a purchase.
IOL News
21-07-2025
- IOL News
Don't let hackers crash your vacation: cyber safety tips for travellers
Before you connect to the airport Wi-Fi, make sure that you have protected yourself from online hackers looking to swipe your information. A recent study by cybersecurity experts NordVPN and Saily has uncovered just how vulnerable travellers are. From stolen passport scans to hacked frequent flyer accounts, criminals are cashing in on a booming black market of personal travel data, and the cost of your identity on the dark web might be far lower than you'd expect. As international travel surges, so too does cybercrime aimed at unsuspecting travellers. Stolen travel documents are being bought and sold online for as little as $10 (R177), while verified EU passports can command prices of over $5,000 (R88 513). Fake visa stickers, forged bank statements, and loyalty accounts loaded with travel miles are also being traded for hundreds of dollars. Even confirmed reservations are being resold for upwards of $250 (R4 426). 'The staggering prices we're seeing on the dark web show just how valuable and vulnerable travellers' personal information has become,' says Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at NordVPN. How cybercriminals steal travel data The methods used to steal travel information are wide-ranging and alarmingly simple. Cybercriminals often deploy malware that scans your devices and cloud storage for sensitive files. Phishing sites, which closely mimic real airline, hotel, or visa application websites, trick users into uploading personal documents and ID scans. Travellers are also at risk due to data breaches at airlines, travel agencies, and online booking platforms, which can leak entire passenger profiles. Even publicly accessible cloud folders with weak permissions can be easily discovered and exploited. In more advanced cases, criminals are turning to AI-generated scams to mimic legitimate requests. These include fake Wi-Fi login pages at airports, phoney lounge access portals, or even requests for selfies alongside ID documents, made to look like they come from official sources. 'With AI tools now easily accessible to criminals, these phishing attempts have become simple to create, remarkably convincing, and difficult to detect,' warns Vykintas Maknickas, CEO of Saily. Why travel documents are so valuable According to these experts, travel documents are a goldmine for hackers. Many digital services and identity checks only require a passport scan and a selfie, which criminals can fake using deepfake technology. With the right data, including full name, date of birth, passport number, email address, phone number, and emergency contacts, hackers can: Commit identity theft Open fraudulent bank accounts or credit lines Apply for loans Launch highly targeted phishing or social engineering attacks 'Travel documents offer direct access to your identity with minimal barriers, making stolen travel data incredibly dangerous,' Briedis explains.
The Irish Sun
16-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Brit passports & holiday bookings SOLD on dark web for £8 after travellers make common phone mistake we're all guilty of
HOLIDAYMAKERS have been warned that cyber criminals are selling everything from passport details to boarding passes for as little as £8 on the dark web. Once they're sold off into the wrong hands they could be used to apply for credit cards in your name or even access your bank account. 2 Experts are urging holidaymakers to take immediate action to protect their personal data Credit: Getty 2 Documents fetch as little as £8 online - which enable other criminals to carry out a range of fraud Credit: Getty Experts have cautioned Brits against a common phone mistake that could make it all too easy for online thieves operating on the dark web. And the seemingly innocent error starts by simply having a photo of your passport on a phone or backed up to the cloud. Why? Well, if a hacker uses malware to raid your phone they can access that copy and impersonate you to apply for a credit card. The same goes for any travel agencies who might ask you to send them a digital copy of your passport ahead of your holiday, as you don't know how safe their systems are. Read more about cyber crime Researchers at NordVPN and Saily uncovered thousands of shocking forums on the dark web forums. On offer are passport scans, But not all passports are created equal when it comes to sales on the dark web, with some countries' passports, like Kazakhstan, fetching a maximum of £175. The details of British passports, as well as those from EU countries, are typically more expensive to acquire, fetching upwards of £4,000 for uncompromised and valid copies. Most read in Tech When passports are recorded as missing or stolen and invalidated, the risk of fraud is reduced, but such documents can still slip past some companies with more relaxed reviewing procedures, NordVPN warned. Scans of these compromised passports can sell for as little as £8. What do you need to do to ensure your passport is OK for travel? "The best way you can protect yourself against these types of fraud is to ensure that all of your devices are kept updated with antivirus software and make sure that anything related to your holiday booking is saved in a secure place," said Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN. 'If you have been asked by your travel agent to send over a copy of your passport, don't be afraid to ask them what they do with that scan once your booking has been completed. "Never be shy about protecting your privacy. 'Take precautions in the airport too, and don't leave boarding passes in public places, as even these have enough information to put you at risk of identity fraud. "While you are away, regularly monitor bank accounts to detect suspicious activity early, as well as report lost or stolen documents promptly to limit exposure. "Passports and travel documents that have been reported as missing or invalid are practically worthless on the dark web. "Taking out travel insurance is no longer just about losing your suitcase at the airport, it covers you for every eventuality – even a sophisticated scam like having your hotel booking stolen." What to do if you think you've been scammed IF you've lost money in a scam, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or by visiting You should also contact your bank or credit card provider immediatley to see if they can stop or trace the cash. If you don't think your bank has managed your complaint correctly, or if you're unhappy with the verdict it gives on your case you can complain to the free Also monitor your credit report in the months following the fraud to ensure crooks don't make further attempts to steal your cash.
The Sun
16-07-2025
- The Sun
Brit passports & holiday bookings SOLD on dark web for £8 after travellers make common phone mistake we're all guilty of
HOLIDAYMAKERS have been warned that cyber criminals are selling everything from passport details to boarding passes for as little as £8 on the dark web. Once they're sold off into the wrong hands they could be used to apply for credit cards in your name or even access your bank account. 2 2 Experts have cautioned Brits against a common phone mistake that could make it all too easy for online thieves operating on the dark web. And the seemingly innocent error starts by simply having a photo of your passport on a phone or backed up to the cloud. Why? Well, if a hacker uses malware to raid your phone they can access that copy and impersonate you to apply for a credit card. The same goes for any travel agencies who might ask you to send them a digital copy of your passport ahead of your holiday, as you don't know how safe their systems are. Researchers at NordVPN and Saily uncovered thousands of shocking forums on the dark web forums. On offer are passport scans, boarding passes, hotel bookings and frequent flyer details. But not all passports are created equal when it comes to sales on the dark web, with some countries' passports, like Kazakhstan, fetching a maximum of £175. The details of British passports, as well as those from EU countries, are typically more expensive to acquire, fetching upwards of £4,000 for uncompromised and valid copies. When passports are recorded as missing or stolen and invalidated, the risk of fraud is reduced, but such documents can still slip past some companies with more relaxed reviewing procedures, NordVPN warned. Scans of these compromised passports can sell for as little as £8. What do you need to do to ensure your passport is OK for travel? "The best way you can protect yourself against these types of fraud is to ensure that all of your devices are kept updated with antivirus software and make sure that anything related to your holiday booking is saved in a secure place," said Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN. 'If you have been asked by your travel agent to send over a copy of your passport, don't be afraid to ask them what they do with that scan once your booking has been completed. "Never be shy about protecting your privacy. 'Take precautions in the airport too, and don't leave boarding passes in public places, as even these have enough information to put you at risk of identity fraud. "While you are away, regularly monitor bank accounts to detect suspicious activity early, as well as report lost or stolen documents promptly to limit exposure. "Passports and travel documents that have been reported as missing or invalid are practically worthless on the dark web. "Taking out travel insurance is no longer just about losing your suitcase at the airport, it covers you for every eventuality – even a sophisticated scam like having your hotel booking stolen."
