Caithness travellers – Be aware of what you share on social media
A cybersecurity expert warns Caithness travellers to not overshare info on social media over the festive season.
If you’re one of many Caithness residents heading off to see loved ones this Christmas, you’re likely looking forward to sharing your journey on social media.
But a cybersecurity expert has issued a stern warning to holidaymakers: that festive airport selfie or train snap could be handing scammers a golden ticket to your personal information.
Christian Espinosa, a cybersecurity expert from Blue Goat Cyber, explained how fraudsters actively scour social media platforms for snippets of data that can be manipulated to target unsuspecting victims.
“A boarding pass is like a treasure map for scammers,” the expert said.
“It contains crucial details such as your full name, flight number, and booking reference, which can all be exploited in alarming ways.”
For many, snapping a photo of their boarding pass and uploading it to social media feels harmless, maybe even a rite of passage. But according to the expert, doing so can lead to serious consequences.
“There are three main dangers when you post travel-related information online,” he said.
“The first is physical security. Announcing that you’re away from home is basically putting up a neon sign inviting burglars to break in.”
Indeed, research has shown that burglars increasingly monitor social media accounts to identify when properties are unoccupied. Your innocent holiday excitement could unwittingly make you a target.
“The second risk comes from revealing your booking reference or flight number. Fraudsters can use this to cancel or rebook your flight reservation.
“Even worse, they could gain access to your frequent flyer points or other travel perks, draining your hard-earned benefits in moments.”
“The third issue is impersonation. If scammers combine details from your boarding pass with other information you’ve posted, like your date of birth or address, they can contact airlines pretending to be you.
“With enough data, they can manipulate customer service agents into disclosing even more sensitive information,” he warned.
It’s not just boarding passes that pose a risk. Any oversharing on social media, such as tagging your location or posting live updates, can leave a digital trail that fraudsters could exploit.
The expert advises travellers to resist the urge to post in real time and instead share photos or updates after returning home.
“Delaying your posts until you’re safely back is a simple way to safeguard both your physical and digital security,” he suggested.
“Additionally, if you simply must share travel-related photos, be sure to obscure sensitive details. For instance, if you’re snapping your boarding pass, cover the barcode, booking reference, and any other visible information before hitting ‘upload.’”