URGENT pls HELP I think I was SCAMMED
Jun 2nd, 2022, 02:35 AM
#21
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 18,043
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't see why it is a strange headquarters.
Plenty of businesses are set up using a home address. On that link you posted you can see others.
Scam or not OP needs to take a deep breath, slow down, get her ducks in a row and make some decisions for herself, starting with checking with the credit card company and Lufthansa. There is only so much people on the forum can do, and so far they have offered plenty of very helpful advice, but sorting out a potential scam and organising her vacation are on her.
Plenty of businesses are set up using a home address. On that link you posted you can see others.
Scam or not OP needs to take a deep breath, slow down, get her ducks in a row and make some decisions for herself, starting with checking with the credit card company and Lufthansa. There is only so much people on the forum can do, and so far they have offered plenty of very helpful advice, but sorting out a potential scam and organising her vacation are on her.
Jun 2nd, 2022, 03:37 AM
#22
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,979
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
“Plenty of businesses are set up using a home address. On that link you posted you can see others.”
Yes, but none of the other companies listed as “Transport” are in Big Spring except the Greyhound Bus Station.
Yes, but none of the other companies listed as “Transport” are in Big Spring except the Greyhound Bus Station.
Jun 2nd, 2022, 06:37 AM
#24
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,022
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You mention that they sent you an email. What did the email say?
Perhaps, it just isn’t clear to me. In thinking about it, it does not appear that you were actually booking a “multi-city” ticket, meaning flights are on one ticket. It looks as if you were booking flights to multiple cities on separate tickets. “Multi-city” ticket would mean you arrived from the US into Frankfurt and departed from Florence or Rome, for US all on one ticket.
So, what flights were you booking? Just from Florence to Frankfurt? Did you book RT to Frankfurt to US on a separate ticket? If so, it is not very safe to do multiple flights on the same day under separate tickets. Most people I know recommend always being in the city of departure for an international flight the night before the flight or have it all on one ticket.
If that flight from Florence to Frankfurt was delayed or canceled, making you miss your flight home, how would you deal with that? Do you have travel insurance that would cover extra hotel stay and a new last minute flight purchase? This is a serious concern. Would not want you to have another difficult situation to cope with, especially one that could be easily prevented with a minor change in flights beforehand.
Therefore, this current problem might be a blessing in disguise. If your ticket from Frankfurt to the US is separate from the one from Florence to Frankfurt, depart from Florence the evening before your Frankfurt flight home and stay that last night in Frankfurt. Have a nice dinner and sleep late, starting the trip home rested and less stressed.
I hope this has been clear because this last bit is just about the best advice I could possibly give anyone!
See! Always a solution, sometimes a better one.
BTW, the PSSTravel place may just be a home based agent working with brokers, so may be legitimate, not a scam and may just not have booked tickets, but I would be cautious about sites like that, and check with your credit card company to see if any transactions have been made and ask them not to accept charges from that company. Also, personally, I have never had any company offer to hold airline seats.
Perhaps, it just isn’t clear to me. In thinking about it, it does not appear that you were actually booking a “multi-city” ticket, meaning flights are on one ticket. It looks as if you were booking flights to multiple cities on separate tickets. “Multi-city” ticket would mean you arrived from the US into Frankfurt and departed from Florence or Rome, for US all on one ticket.
So, what flights were you booking? Just from Florence to Frankfurt? Did you book RT to Frankfurt to US on a separate ticket? If so, it is not very safe to do multiple flights on the same day under separate tickets. Most people I know recommend always being in the city of departure for an international flight the night before the flight or have it all on one ticket.
If that flight from Florence to Frankfurt was delayed or canceled, making you miss your flight home, how would you deal with that? Do you have travel insurance that would cover extra hotel stay and a new last minute flight purchase? This is a serious concern. Would not want you to have another difficult situation to cope with, especially one that could be easily prevented with a minor change in flights beforehand.
Therefore, this current problem might be a blessing in disguise. If your ticket from Frankfurt to the US is separate from the one from Florence to Frankfurt, depart from Florence the evening before your Frankfurt flight home and stay that last night in Frankfurt. Have a nice dinner and sleep late, starting the trip home rested and less stressed.
I hope this has been clear because this last bit is just about the best advice I could possibly give anyone!
See! Always a solution, sometimes a better one.
BTW, the PSSTravel place may just be a home based agent working with brokers, so may be legitimate, not a scam and may just not have booked tickets, but I would be cautious about sites like that, and check with your credit card company to see if any transactions have been made and ask them not to accept charges from that company. Also, personally, I have never had any company offer to hold airline seats.
Last edited by Sassafrass; Jun 2nd, 2022 at 06:58 AM. Reason: Opinion added
Jun 2nd, 2022, 07:17 AM
#25
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Multi-city” ticket would mean you arrived from the US into Frankfurt and departed from Florence or Rome, for US all on one ticket.
Multi city could mean open jaw as per above example or it could mean multiple cities visited on a single itinerary/booking which may all be on one ticket or could be on several tickets, depending on the ticketing agreements between airlines and other factors. The multi city option on a website gives you the ability to book either type of trip.
Multi city could mean open jaw as per above example or it could mean multiple cities visited on a single itinerary/booking which may all be on one ticket or could be on several tickets, depending on the ticketing agreements between airlines and other factors. The multi city option on a website gives you the ability to book either type of trip.
Jun 2nd, 2022, 07:33 AM
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sassafrass I was hoping for you... Thanks a million again.You always understand the situation and offer such great information.... I owe you a huge gift basket for walking me through this process so kindly.
So online I can't book via Condor as multi city from Florence, I can only do it one way which gave me a higher price. I called them they can do it as well with a higher price.. but at this point I don't care anymore I just want to book something.
Options -If they are still there today
1. Same Florence flight but we have to leave the next day on Sunday at 10:30 am arriving Frankfurt at 12 noon - leaving Frankfurt at 3 pm non stop to Toronto - drive home 3 hours
2. 6 am Florence flight -(assuming we have to be at the airport about 2:30 am) then to Frankfurt 7 hour layover there - non stop to Toronto and drive home 3 hours
3. 10 am ish Flight out of Pisa, Luca, Rome --- to Frankfurt layover there for 3 hours then same Toronto flight at 3 pm to Toronto - drive home 3 hours.
--bc we work and my son can't miss Tuesday - we avoided Sunday but at this point, it's ok and I have to book something fast.
I do not know much about Luca and Pisa, and from what I have heard Rome is very congested and buys in July, we had chosen Florence so that we could do day trips to Luca and Pisa and tuscany area. Im just not sure they would be a good base for first time travel (not including 1/2 day cruise). My husband and son really want good Italian food, seeing David and having a cooking class is a must.
What do you think Sassafrass
So online I can't book via Condor as multi city from Florence, I can only do it one way which gave me a higher price. I called them they can do it as well with a higher price.. but at this point I don't care anymore I just want to book something.
Options -If they are still there today
1. Same Florence flight but we have to leave the next day on Sunday at 10:30 am arriving Frankfurt at 12 noon - leaving Frankfurt at 3 pm non stop to Toronto - drive home 3 hours
2. 6 am Florence flight -(assuming we have to be at the airport about 2:30 am) then to Frankfurt 7 hour layover there - non stop to Toronto and drive home 3 hours
3. 10 am ish Flight out of Pisa, Luca, Rome --- to Frankfurt layover there for 3 hours then same Toronto flight at 3 pm to Toronto - drive home 3 hours.
--bc we work and my son can't miss Tuesday - we avoided Sunday but at this point, it's ok and I have to book something fast.
I do not know much about Luca and Pisa, and from what I have heard Rome is very congested and buys in July, we had chosen Florence so that we could do day trips to Luca and Pisa and tuscany area. Im just not sure they would be a good base for first time travel (not including 1/2 day cruise). My husband and son really want good Italian food, seeing David and having a cooking class is a must.
What do you think Sassafrass
Jun 2nd, 2022, 07:36 AM
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yes, but it was not going through , the system was glitching as soon as I was putting in multi city then Florence for return. I have booked many multi city tickets. That was the reason for contacting them...
Jun 2nd, 2022, 07:43 AM
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
balthy shoot I did not see that noted on Lufthansa website... I did not use the URL , I googled and teh page came up that looked exactly like Lufthansa and proceeded. I have booked with Lufthansa before and the page looked exactly the same. I'm actually very cautious with various agents I don't recognize. I don't know how I missed this.. I was pretty sleep deprived, and panicked when he said 4 seats left. The whole thing starting with my dad's passing and my family not doing well and having to move up our trip to book last minute has been stressful.
I just got back from the Police station, apparently there are a huge number of hackers that are hacking the reservation lines and also creating airline look alike pages. I'm going to call our credit cards now.. worse part is those were our only 2 credit cards and now our hotel and other reservations maybe compromised. I have to rebook the flights myself.. now asap.
I just got back from the Police station, apparently there are a huge number of hackers that are hacking the reservation lines and also creating airline look alike pages. I'm going to call our credit cards now.. worse part is those were our only 2 credit cards and now our hotel and other reservations maybe compromised. I have to rebook the flights myself.. now asap.
Jun 2nd, 2022, 07:51 AM
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cafegoddess Thank you for the kind words... I do too.. although part of me wants to cancel, but we will not get more then a week off for another 3 years, and I don't know if my family will be around much longer. I feel like once I sort this situation, and book hotels and flights - I can breath. If it happens.
Jun 2nd, 2022, 08:05 AM
#31
OP Have you ever heard of Expedia? They sometimes have tickets that are better than booking directly on the Airlines. They have online travel agents. While ot very good they are at least legit. Maybe better than you doing it by yourself, though. If you don't have a Costco membership or Auto Club, that is another option.
Last edited by mlgb; Jun 2nd, 2022 at 08:40 AM.
Jun 2nd, 2022, 08:12 AM
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sassafrass sorry shoot.. condor doesn't fly out of Frankfurt on Sundays, so that's not an option, just Luca and Pisa or Rome with the options I mentioned.
Jun 2nd, 2022, 08:46 AM
#33
Considering you have not spelled the airline correctly, chances are you reached a fake website. This is one way people are "Phished".
You should run a malware scam on your computer since you opened the email from them. If there was an attachment that you opened it may have installed malware on your computer. Change all of your passwords immediately, on your emails and bank accounts.
You need to call your credit card company and get a new card with a new number ASAP. Use the other credit card for the new tickets.
I would say that you should contact the three credit bureaus to put a fraud alert on your account as well as a freeze on new credit. However it sounds to me like instead you need to sign up for something like LifelLock. The official site is https://www.lifelock.com/
They also have free advice on that website.
Filing a police report actually isn't a bad idea. It can come in handy if the scammers use her personal info to open new accounts and ruin her credit report. A friend had someone take out a cellphone in her name. She had difficulty even getting any police department to take the report.
You should run a malware scam on your computer since you opened the email from them. If there was an attachment that you opened it may have installed malware on your computer. Change all of your passwords immediately, on your emails and bank accounts.
You need to call your credit card company and get a new card with a new number ASAP. Use the other credit card for the new tickets.
I would say that you should contact the three credit bureaus to put a fraud alert on your account as well as a freeze on new credit. However it sounds to me like instead you need to sign up for something like LifelLock. The official site is https://www.lifelock.com/
They also have free advice on that website.
Filing a police report actually isn't a bad idea. It can come in handy if the scammers use her personal info to open new accounts and ruin her credit report. A friend had someone take out a cellphone in her name. She had difficulty even getting any police department to take the report.
Last edited by mlgb; Jun 2nd, 2022 at 08:48 AM.
Jun 2nd, 2022, 09:10 AM
#34
I'm going to call our credit cards now.
Good idea. That is what you needed to do right when the first happened. They can help you more than going to the police station. Don't you have the account online, where you can look up and see the purchase amount, the date, and the company name that put it thru??
Googling for a phone number instead of using the website was not a smart thing to do, as you have probably figured out.
Good idea. That is what you needed to do right when the first happened. They can help you more than going to the police station. Don't you have the account online, where you can look up and see the purchase amount, the date, and the company name that put it thru??
Googling for a phone number instead of using the website was not a smart thing to do, as you have probably figured out.
Last edited by suze; Jun 2nd, 2022 at 09:18 AM.
Jun 2nd, 2022, 10:10 AM
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mlgb Thanks so much, my son had visited a site on my laptop last month that made my laptop act weird. I am not a technical person, but I called apple and they walked me through running the Malware - however, I think I may still have issues. I will change all passwords - thank youuuuu so much for that reminder.
calling credit bureaus today, --- thank you for life lock info.
yes, a friend that had this happen to her advised me to go to the Police first then credit cards, because they had so much info on us.
My credit cards have been compromised before, but all of our personal information with DOB etc weren't - I was advised to file the police report in case they try identity theft. The officer said they are seeing hacking into reservation lines and reservation systems from over seas.
calling credit bureaus today, --- thank you for life lock info.
yes, a friend that had this happen to her advised me to go to the Police first then credit cards, because they had so much info on us.
My credit cards have been compromised before, but all of our personal information with DOB etc weren't - I was advised to file the police report in case they try identity theft. The officer said they are seeing hacking into reservation lines and reservation systems from over seas.
Jun 2nd, 2022, 10:22 AM
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mlgb Yes, I use Expedia all the time. These tickets were expensive last minute and I was trying different sites, but nothing that was not reputable or that I haven't used before... I used Expedia, google flights (which then I use to book on the airline site), and Kayak.
At the time this happened I was on the Lufthansa site or what I thought was their site. I checked my history and it does take me to the Lufthansa site, still not sure why it was not working... but it is what it is, trying to find solutions now. thanks again for the info.
At the time this happened I was on the Lufthansa site or what I thought was their site. I checked my history and it does take me to the Lufthansa site, still not sure why it was not working... but it is what it is, trying to find solutions now. thanks again for the info.
Jun 2nd, 2022, 10:24 AM
#38
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,860
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sassafrass I was hoping for you... Thanks a million again.You always understand the situation and offer such great information.... I owe you a huge gift basket for walking me through this process so kindly.
So online I can't book via Condor as multi city from Florence, I can only do it one way which gave me a higher price. I called them they can do it as well with a higher price.. but at this point I don't care anymore I just want to book something.
Options -If they are still there today
1. Same Florence flight but we have to leave the next day on Sunday at 10:30 am arriving Frankfurt at 12 noon - leaving Frankfurt at 3 pm non stop to Toronto - drive home 3 hours
2. 6 am Florence flight -(assuming we have to be at the airport about 2:30 am) then to Frankfurt 7 hour layover there - non stop to Toronto and drive home 3 hours
3. 10 am ish Flight out of Pisa, Luca, Rome --- to Frankfurt layover there for 3 hours then same Toronto flight at 3 pm to Toronto - drive home 3 hours.
--bc we work and my son can't miss Tuesday - we avoided Sunday but at this point, it's ok and I have to book something fast.
I do not know much about Luca and Pisa, and from what I have heard Rome is very congested and buys in July, we had chosen Florence so that we could do day trips to Luca and Pisa and tuscany area. Im just not sure they would be a good base for first time travel (not including 1/2 day cruise). My husband and son really want good Italian food, seeing David and having a cooking class is a must.
What do you think Sassafrass
So online I can't book via Condor as multi city from Florence, I can only do it one way which gave me a higher price. I called them they can do it as well with a higher price.. but at this point I don't care anymore I just want to book something.
Options -If they are still there today
1. Same Florence flight but we have to leave the next day on Sunday at 10:30 am arriving Frankfurt at 12 noon - leaving Frankfurt at 3 pm non stop to Toronto - drive home 3 hours
2. 6 am Florence flight -(assuming we have to be at the airport about 2:30 am) then to Frankfurt 7 hour layover there - non stop to Toronto and drive home 3 hours
3. 10 am ish Flight out of Pisa, Luca, Rome --- to Frankfurt layover there for 3 hours then same Toronto flight at 3 pm to Toronto - drive home 3 hours.
--bc we work and my son can't miss Tuesday - we avoided Sunday but at this point, it's ok and I have to book something fast.
I do not know much about Luca and Pisa, and from what I have heard Rome is very congested and buys in July, we had chosen Florence so that we could do day trips to Luca and Pisa and tuscany area. Im just not sure they would be a good base for first time travel (not including 1/2 day cruise). My husband and son really want good Italian food, seeing David and having a cooking class is a must.
What do you think Sassafrass
Jun 2nd, 2022, 10:32 AM
#39
mlgb Thanks so much, my son had visited a site on my laptop last month that made my laptop act weird. I am not a technical person, but I called apple and they walked me through running the Malware - however, I think I may still have issues. I will change all passwords - thank youuuuu so much for that reminder.
calling credit bureaus today, --- thank you for life lock info.
yes, a friend that had this happen to her advised me to go to the Police first then credit cards, because they had so much info on us.
My credit cards have been compromised before, but all of our personal information with DOB etc weren't - I was advised to file the police report in case they try identity theft. The officer said they are seeing hacking into reservation lines and reservation systems from over seas.
calling credit bureaus today, --- thank you for life lock info.
yes, a friend that had this happen to her advised me to go to the Police first then credit cards, because they had so much info on us.
My credit cards have been compromised before, but all of our personal information with DOB etc weren't - I was advised to file the police report in case they try identity theft. The officer said they are seeing hacking into reservation lines and reservation systems from over seas.
A zillion years ago, I got a call from the Secret Service who said my credit card had been cloned by a ring they were investigating. They perked up when I said I had recently used it at a Chinese restaurant in downtown LA. This was waay before everyone was doing computer banking and shopping. Nothing ever showed up on my own credit cards, and they said it wouldn't.
