Add Security To Your Travel Checklist

We're excited to announce that we have recently launched a Local Consumer Program that offers consumer assistance services. The services in this program are free and voluntary with the support and funding of the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. Common complaints include defective products, car sales, home improvement, debt collection, etc. 

Summer is here and consumers are excited to travel once again! This also means that hackers will be looking for unsuspecting victims for some common tricks at the airport.

Never accept a USB cord or charger from a stranger to use with your phone or computer. These could be modified and be used to install malware on your devices. It’s easiest for a hacker to steal your information from a crowded place, so be aware of your surroundings. Never let a stranger borrow your phone, and always remember to pack your own chargers that can plug in directly to an outlet and not a USB port.

Consumers should also be wary of connecting to free public Wi-Fi spots, whether at the airport or another public area. Hackers can easily set up a Wi-Fi access point and name it something convincing, for example “Starbucks_Guest_WiFi.” Once connected to one of these fake access points, the hacker can monitor all of the data you send and receive, including your personal banking information. Always check with an employee for the name of the Wi-Fi access point to avoid falling victim to this.

References: Guthrie, G. 2022 June 2. Scammers are preparing to target travelers this summer. consumeraffairs.com