If you’re jetting off on the holiday of a lifetime, it’s crucial that you don’t let your excitement get the better of you. When you’re travelling, it’s natural to want to keep your social media updated on where you’re going, but there’s one common mistake that legal experts are warning people against.
While posting a snap of your boarding pass is tempting, Adam Jones, legal expert at HD Claims said it can lead criminals right to you. He said: “Most travellers don’t realise their boarding pass contains far more than just a seat number. It can include your full name, flight number, frequent flyer ID and booking reference – which criminals can use to log in, cancel or change your itinerary, steal miles, or worse, access stored passport and payment information.”
The risk is particularly high with budget airlines and major carriers that allow online check-in and limited verification.
“This isn’t just about social embarrassment — it’s a serious data protection issue,” Adam adds. “If your ID or travel account is compromised as a result, you could end up footing the bill or losing your holiday altogether.”
Recent cases have shown how scammers use boarding pass barcodes and QR codes to retrieve sensitive data from airline systems.
If you’re travelling, there are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe.
- Never post photos of your boarding pass or luggage tag, even if it’s just a corner or a barcode and once you arrive, shred or destroy your ticket to stop people stealing it.
- If you’ve shared one by accident, contact your airline and change your login credentials immediately.
- Public Wi-Fi should be avoided if you’re accessing your airline app or booking platform overseas.
Adam said: “Ultimately, the best legal defence is prevention. Treat your boarding pass like a credit card — don’t flash it on Instagram.”