And it’s not just that by reporting on vacation we give the thief a signal that our house is empty. There is another risk.
There’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of technology and posting vacation photos online. It’s a nice souvenir and, let’s face it, many of us just want to show our friends how we spent our time. However, in some cases it is better to let it go. This especially applies to the situation when we travel by plane.
It is a big mistake to share your boarding pass online. This behavior can have serious consequences.
A boarding pass is the key to the world of travel. Without it, you can’t get through security or even shop at the airport. But did you know that by posting a photo you expose yourself to the theft of your personal data?
On the boarding pass you will find the flight number, date and time, and seat number. All of this may seem innocent, but we have forgotten one important element: the QR code. If you take a photo of it, you may have a problem.
Photo of your boarding pass on Instagram? This could be your worst mistake! By scanning the QR code, airport staff gain access to your sensitive data: passport number and even flight payment details along with your credit card number. What can happen if this data falls into the wrong hands?
Steve HuiA travel expert, spoke more broadly on this topic. He conducted an experiment using a photo of a boarding pass posted on the Internet by an Internet user. By scanning the code, I was able to access the travel itinerary and also the data of his credit card.
“From this information, I was able to see the passenger’s entire route and find out when and where they planned to travel. The details also included seat numbers, frequent flyer information, and ticket numbers. Additionally, it was easy to see a complete breakdown of the fare paid, including the date of purchase and the last four digits of the credit card used.” Expert reports.
So, as you can see, a boarding pass photo is not an innocent travel souvenir, but a real threat. A thief can use your data and cause you problems.
This article was originally published in Onet woman.
