Flight Cancellation Text Scam
This scam texts that your flight is cancelled or changed and tells you to rebook or claim a refund through a link or number, leading to a fake page or a scammer posing as airline support who takes payment and details.
Quick verdict
What this scam usually looks like
This scam texts that your flight is cancelled or changed and tells you to rebook or claim a refund through a link or number, leading to a fake page or a scammer posing as airline support who takes payment and details.
Example message pattern
This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.
Red flags to watch for
- A cancellation or change you cannot confirm in your account
- A link or number to rebook or claim a refund
- Pressure to act fast to secure a seat or refund
- A sender or web address that is not the airline
- Requests for card or booking details
What to do
- Check your booking in the airline's official app or website
- Contact the airline using the number on its official site
- Never pay rebooking or refund fees through a text link
- Report and delete the text
If you already clicked or replied
- Do not enter card or booking details on the page
- If you paid, contact your bank to flag your card
- Verify your actual booking status directly with the airline
- Change any password you entered
What not to do
- Do not rebook or claim refunds through a text link
- Do not call numbers from the text
- Do not share card or booking details via the link
Similar scams
Fake Flight Booking Scam
Fake flight booking scams use lookalike travel sites or fake 'agents' to advertise unusually cheap flights. They take payment by bank transfer or card for a ticket that is never issued or is quietly cancelled, and often follow up with a fake 'your flight is cancelled, call to rebook' message designed to harvest card and passport details.
Hotel Booking Scam
Hotel booking scams use fake listings or phishing messages that pose as a booking platform or the hotel itself. They ask you to 'reconfirm' payment off-platform, pay a deposit by transfer, or update card details for a room that may not really be available. Some come from hacked hotel chat or email accounts, making the request look genuine.
Reservation Confirmation Text Scam
This scam texts a fake reservation confirmation for a restaurant, hotel, or appointment and asks you to confirm, modify, or pay a deposit through a link that captures your card and personal details.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a flight cancellation?
Why target travellers?
I paid a rebooking fee. What now?
How are real refunds handled?
Last reviewed: June 2026