Beware Of United Airlines MileagePlus Scam Emails

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Written by: Thomas Orsolya

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United Airlines’ MileagePlus program is one of the largest and most popular airline loyalty programs in the world. Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of MileagePlus members by sending fake offers for free flights and tricking people into giving up personal information. This article will explain how the scam works, how to spot it, and what to do if you are targeted.

United Airline​s scam

Overview of the Scam

This scam starts with an email sent to MileagePlus members claiming to be from United Airlines. The email states that as a MileagePlus member, you have been selected to receive two free round-trip flights within the continental United States.

To claim the offer, you simply need to complete a short customer satisfaction survey using the link in the email. However, the link actually leads to a fake website impersonating the official United Airlines site. The site asks you to enter personal information and credit card details to verify your identity and claim the free flights.

In reality, United Airlines is not offering any such promotion. The email and website are a scam designed to steal personal and financial information. Any information entered will be collected by scammers who seek to commit identity theft and credit card fraud.

How the Scam Works

Here is a step-by-step overview of how the MileagePlus scam operates:

  1. You receive an email claiming to be from United Airlines. The email is made to look official, containing United Airlines branding and logos. The subject line will say something like “Your MileagePlus Opinion Matters – Get 2 Free Roundtrips.”
  2. The email states you’ve been selected for a customer satisfaction survey. It claims that to thank MileagePlus members for their loyalty, United Airlines is giving away two free round-trip flights within the continental US to those who complete a short survey.
  3. A link is provided to take the survey. The link in the email goes to a website designed to mimic the official United Airlines site. However, the URL will be slightly different, often containing extra words or misspellings.
  4. The site asks for personal and payment information. To claim your “free flights” you are prompted to enter details like your name, MileagePlus number, home address, email address, and credit card information.
  5. Your details are stolen. The website is fake and run by scammers who steal any information you enter. Your personal and financial details will be used for identity theft and fraudulent activities.
  6. You never receive any free flights. United Airlines did not send the email and is not offering any promotion for free flights for taking a survey. The entire thing is a scam designed to gather your private data.

How to Spot This Scam

While the emails and websites used in this scam are designed to look authentic, there are a few red flags that can help you identify and avoid it:

  • Misspellings/grammatical errors: Scam emails often contain typos, grammar issues, or improperly formatted content.
  • Suspicious sender address: While the email name may say “United Airlines,” the sender’s email address is likely a random string of characters @ a non-United domain.
  • Unofficial website URL: The link goes to a website trying to imitate United, but the URL will be slightly altered with extra words.
  • Request for personal/financial information: United would never ask for your credit card, MileagePlus number, or other private details over email or online surveys.
  • Too good to be true: Free roundtrip flights within the US is likely too good a reward for just taking a short survey. Offers that look unrealistic are often scams.
  • No recollection of entering any contest/sweepstakes: You never signed up for or agreed to take any United Airlines customer satisfaction survey.
  • Poor image quality: Scam emails often use low-quality or altered United Airlines logos and imagery.
  • Threats or sense of urgency: Scammers try to get you to act fast by saying the offer expires soon or your account is at risk.

What To Do if You Are Targeted

If you receive an email with an offer for free United Airlines flights for completing a survey, do the following:

  • Do not click any links or open attachments. The link likely leads to a fake, scam website designed to steal your information.
  • Forward the scam email to United Airlines. Forward the suspicious email to abuse@united.com so United can investigate fraudulent use of their brand.
  • Report the scam. File a scam report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and notify your local authorities.
  • Warn others who may be targeted. If you know others who actively use their MileagePlus accounts, make them aware of this scam.
  • Monitor your accounts. Keep an eye out for any suspicious charges or activity on your credit cards and MileagePlus account. Report unauthorized transactions immediately.
  • Change passwords. If you did enter any account information into a scam website, change your passwords right away.

What to Do if You Entered Your Information

If you provided any personal or financial details before realizing it was a scam website:

  • Contact your credit card company. Alert them to possible fraudulent charges or cash advances on your account. Consider cancelling your card and getting a new one reissued.
  • Place a fraud alert. Contact one of the three credit reporting bureaus to place an initial 90-day fraud alert on your credit file. This makes it harder for scammers to open new accounts in your name.
  • Monitor your credit reports. Order a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus and look for any accounts or inquiries you don’t recognize. Report any suspicious activity.
  • Change online account passwords. Update the passwords for your email, MileagePlus account, and any other online accounts to prevent scammers from accessing them.
  • Review MileagePlus account activity. Check your United account for any upcoming award travel you did not book yourself and contact United Airlines.
  • Consider an identity theft protection service. Sign up for an ID theft protection service that will monitor your credit and alert you of any suspicious activity.

Conclusion & Key Tips

The MileagePlus survey scam is a deceptive attempt to access customers’ personal information under the guise of a fake flight promotion. Stay vigilant against phishing scams by looking for warning signs like suspicious links and requests for sensitive information over email. Never provide credit card details, account numbers, or other personal info to unverified sources.

With scam awareness and good cybersecurity habits, you can avoid surrendering your private data to scammers seeking to profit off identity theft. Be cautious when reviewing unsolicited offers and do your research before providing information. Together we can dismantle these criminal operations by being informed consumers and reporting suspected fraud.

Key Tips to Avoid This Scam:

  • Never click direct links in unexpected emails – type the official site URL directly into your browser.
  • Don’t trust exciting offers requiring personal/financial details over email.
  • Look for grammatical errors, fake addresses, and “too good to be true” pitches.
  • Don’t give out your MileagePlus, credit card, or other sensitive information via online forms.
  • Report scam emails to United Airlines and organizations like the FTC to help warn others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the MileagePlus survey scam?

A: This is a phishing scam where MileagePlus members receive fake emails offering free flights to take a customer satisfaction survey, but it’s really a ploy to steal account and credit card details.

Q: How do I tell if an email from United Airlines is fake?

A: Check for spelling/grammar issues, suspicious sender addresses, altered logos, urgent threats if you don’t act fast, and unrealistic offers like free flights for doing a survey.

Q: Can this scam really get my free flight miles?

A: No, it is not actually affiliated with United Airlines or the MileagePlus program in any way. The scammers cannot directly access or redeem your earned miles.

Q: I entered my information into the website. What should I do now?

A: Immediately contact your credit card company and place a fraud alert. Monitor your credit closely and change any passwords that may be compromised. Review your MileagePlus activity for any unauthorized bookings.

Q: Why does United Airlines allow this scam to happen?

A: United does not allow or endorse this scam at all. Scammers are illegally misusing the United and MileagePlus names without permission. Make sure to report the scam to United Airlines.

Q: How can I avoid falling for the MileagePlus survey scam in the future?

A: Be wary of unsolicited emails with links and attachments. Look for obvious red flags like grammar/spelling issues, urgency cues, and requests for sensitive data. Verify legitimacy before providing any personal or financial details.

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

    lock sign

    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

    cursor sign

    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

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