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Alert
On January 24,2024 Better Business Bureau investigated FlightsMerchant's business practices. This investigation was prompted by several Scam Tracker and consumer complaint reports alleging that FlightsMerchant is operating as an air-flight agency. Consumers claim while searching for cheap flights online, they come across what seems like a great deal with a major airline. Consumers can book the flight either through the website https://www.flightsmerchant.com/ or by calling a customer support number (888) 508-6174.
Though, shortly after making the payment, consumers receive a call from FlightsMerchant stating there has been a sudden price increase or an extra charge to finalize the booking. Consumers will request the reservation be canceled and a refund be issued. FlightsMerchant responds that refunds are not a part of the company policy.
FlightsMerchant suggests they are located in Redmond, WA, yet BBB was unable to locate a valid registration with the Washington Department of Revenue Services at https://dor.wa.gov/.
BBB verified the website was created by Mesh Digital Limited based out of London, UK and created on May 16, 2019.
BBB verified the address used by FlightsMerchant 2205 152nd Ave NE Redmond, WA 98052 belongs to a different business not associated with FlightsMerchant.
On May 13, 2024 BBB reached out to FlightsMerchant providing an opportunity to respond to the complaints and Scam Tracker reports. As of May 23, 2024, FlightsMerchant has failed to respond.
Based on the information detailed above, BBB cannot confirm the legitimacy of FlightsMerchant.
If you have been victimized by FlightsMerchant please report it on Scam Tracker at https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/, the FBI at https://www.ic3.gov/ and the FTC at https://www.ftc.gov/.
How to avoid travel scams
Do your research. If you come across a company you haven’t dealt with before, research it before making any purchases. Look on BBB.org for reviews and feedback from previous customers. As a safe practice, use travel businesses or agencies that are BBB Accredited.
Double check flight details before calling support. Scammers are blasting out fake airline cancellation emails and text messages that can easily be mistaken for the real deal. Confirm the information in the message – such as the flight and reservation numbers – is correct before calling customer support.
Confirm the URL before you enter personal and payment information. It can be easy to click on a sponsored ad or impostor website without noticing. Before entering any sensitive information, double-check that you are on the right website and that the link is secure. (Secure links start with “HTTPS//” and include a lock icon on the purchase page. Learn more at BBB.org and BBBSecure.
Be wary of third-party websites. Some websites appear to offer a legitimate service but are only fronts for a scam. Be suspicious of websites with no working customer service number or physical address. Typos and grammatical errors can be indications of a scammer’s handiwork.
Make online purchases with your credit card. Fraudulent charges on a credit card can usually be disputed, whereas that might not be the case with other payment methods. Unfortunately, there is no way to get back the personal information you may have shared.
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