Airport worker warns of ‘growing’ new luggage tag scam

A new luggage tag scam has been taking off.

An airport worker, who claimed to be a Delta Air Lines baggage claims manager, took to Reddit to warn travelers about a “growing” scam.

“I just wanted to let everyone know to please start discarding your bag tags at home,” they wrote.

The poster claimed that there has been an “influx of fraudulent claims” submitted for missing items, with people using tossed luggage tags to make the claims.

“These people are observing who is removing their luggage tags in the claim areas and using your information to submit claims for reimbursement,” they wrote.

The manager explained that from their own personal experience dealing with this, it’s creating issues when it comes to reimbursing people with a legitimate claim submitted.

It’s recommended to wait until you get home, or mainly just away from the airport, before removing the luggage tags from your checked bags.

“Please be careful and don’t take your tags off at the airport,” they wrote. “They can steal enough information from that to use your travel itinerary to get paid.”

The post in the forum attracted over 2,000 comments with people sharing their own experiences and advice.

“Not even bag tags, printed boarding passes as well,” one shared. “Next time you show up to your seat and someone else is there, don’t be surprised.”

“Clearly, my strategy of forgetting to remove the tag until it’s time for my next trip is paying off,” someone joked.

“Never thought my Final Destination paranoia would actually come in handy for something that’s actually real,” another quipped, referencing the horror franchise.

“Japan had secured bag tag disposal receptacles near the secured exit of baggage claim…this explains why,” one person noted.

“Just adding to this … also, don’t throw these away in your hotel room either. As a former hotel employee, there have been a few instances of fraud using bag tags found at hotels, too,” someone else advised.

“Be vigilant!”