While it’s normal and fun to document our travels on social media, sharing too much information can lead to identity theft. For example, a 26-year-old man was arrested last week after posing as another passenger who boarded a Delta Air Lines flight without a ticket.
The nefarious traveler was able to board the plane at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) using a screenshot of the other person’s boarding pass he took when she wasn’t looking, according to reporting by The New York Times. While it’s a bit shocking, this isn’t the first time people have figured out how to successfully board a plane without a ticket or even go through airport security to board a flight without a ticket.
It is essential that you protect yourself and your travel documents when traveling.
Here are tips to protect your boarding pass and other important travel documents.
Buy a screen protector
While you can’t prevent someone from looking over your shoulder at your phone, a screen protector makes it significantly more difficult. The screen darkens for everyone except those holding the phone.
A screen protector might have prevented – or at least made it significantly more difficult – for the aforementioned Delta passenger to take advantage of an innocent flyer. According to The New York Times, the bad actor was “seen taking pictures of several passengers’ phones in a Delta Air Lines boarding area while they weren’t looking,” which he then used to board the flight. The newspaper also said the man cleared TSA security at SLC without incident using a photo ID and a boarding pass, although it is not clear whose boarding pass he used.
So a screen protector is perhaps the easiest step you can take to protect your boarding pass. You should honestly consider your boarding pass as a credit card with important information. The QR code on the digital boarding passes that many travelers use is also very valuable; it contains your passenger name record, a six-digit alphanumeric code.
A traveler’s PNR is unique to the individual booking and acts as the “digital certificate that allows passengers to check-in or manage their bookings online in a short time,” according to Turkish airline Pegasus. “This code allows passengers to manage their bookings, such as reprinting a lost airline ticket or printing the ticket at the airport. For this reason, passengers are obliged to keep this code after purchasing the airline ticket.”
So a PNR code unlocks a traveler’s name. This means you can access the reservation, find out additional personal information (identifying characteristics, such as date of birth, age, height and more) and even cancel the affected party’s booking online if you wish, according to senior writer Ben Smithson from TPG.
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“You can also scan a PNR code from a photo with your QR reader to get the same information,” he warned.
With nearly 120,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this three-pack of Ailun Glass Screen Protectors is well worth the $5.99 price in exchange for extra peace of mind.
Do not publish sensitive information in real time
Along the same lines, you should refrain from publishing PNR details or boarding passes on social media; these are important pieces of information that can share your whereabouts. The same goes for specific flight information and even your final destinations.
Another good rule of thumb for all travelers, especially solo female travelers, is not to share your exact location in real time while traveling. Even posting clues about where you are staying – such as the interior of a restaurant, let alone the exact location – can provide enough information for someone to identify your location.
For example, you may remember 2016 when Kim Kardashian had $10 million worth of jewelry stolen in Paris after thieves determined she was staying at the Hotel de Pourtales over the course of two years through her online presence.
If you’re a travel influencer and share recommendations, consider waiting to post your hotels, restaurants, and activities until you’ve already left that site.
Pay attention to your surroundings
This may go without saying, but you need to pay attention to your surroundings and the people around you when traveling. This may help you prevent scammers, like the Delta passenger mentioned above, from misusing your personal documents and belongings.
If you’ve ever been to Europe, you’ve probably been warned about petty crime; It is more common there than in the US, while more violent crimes occur in the US. Abroad, thieves often target tourists, especially for stealing small wallets, pickpocketing and taking away phones. This mainly happens in popular tourist areas such as city centers and tourist attractions.
Do your best not to introduce yourself as a tourist and always keep your head on a turn.
Put everything in a bag
Being disorganized while traveling can make us vulnerable. While we recommend that you keep your travel documents in a secure place, such as a hotel safe, once you reach your destination, you may also consider traveling with a secure bag to keep your documents and important personal belongings safe.
TPG Editor-in-Chief Andrea Rotondo recommends this Travelon Anti-Theft-Class Small East/West Crossbody Bag, which has RFDI blocking pockets, slash-proof material and straps, plus interlocking zippers.
“I’m carrying my bag, so I think this is pretty safe,” she told me. Plus, at 10.5 by 8 inches, it’s small enough to fold into a larger handbag or suitcase if you want to change it while traveling.
If you don’t carry a bag with you when traveling, like TPG video director Ayana Morali, use a backpack with a hidden pocket to store your belongings during an airport trip. Then transfer it to a hidden compartment in your suitcase upon arrival.
Take photos of your travel documents and keep them in a safe place
According to the U.S. Department of State, making photocopies of your travel documents on your phone is good practice, especially when abroad. The department also says you should leave a copy of your passport with a trusted friend or family member while carrying another copy with you, separate from your original documents.
This is important because a photocopied passport can also serve as proof of your U.S. citizenship should you need to replace a missing passport abroad.
“I also received a photo of my passport by email in case I lose it abroad,” Ayana said. For more secure storage, TPG social media director Caroline English suggests storing passports and other information in a password manager such as 1Password.
In short
If you’ve come this far you may be dreading your next journey, but I actually hope this piece does the opposite. On the contrary, I hope you find these tips powerful for you as a traveler.
Whether you’re traveling alone as a woman, with your aging parents, or with someone who considers themselves an experienced traveler, there’s no such thing as being too safe.
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