Qantas warns customers of refund scam

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Qantas has issued a warning to its customers about scam phone calls and websites claiming to be the airline’s refund team.

According to the national carrier’s scam assistance page, and a tweet from the airline on 5 January, some customers are receiving phone calls claiming to be from the Qantas refund team asking customers to provide their credit card details so their refund can be processed.

Those who thought these phone calls were too good to be true were right. “These calls are not from us,” the page advises.

The airline is urging those who receive the calls not to provide personal or financial details or respond to the calls.

“If a Qantas consultant calls a customer directly to discuss their booking, they will always verify the customer’s identity before providing or discussing any booking details,” the airline said.

“If you need to speak to a Qantas consultant directly, call 13 13 13 within Australia or your local Qantas office.”

Update on scams: If you receive a call appearing to be from the Qantas Refund Team asking for your credit card details, please be aware this is a scam. Do not provide any personal or financial details & do not respond to these calls.
— Qantas (@Qantas) January 5, 2021

However, it seems the scammers have touched a nerve, as loads of Twitter users have commented on the tweet complaining about unpaid refunds.

“When would you guys even bother to reach out to your customers in the first place anyway? That’s a red flag that something is off,” @Rory_Flanagan said.

“I have been waiting over six months for my refund. How can I reach someone at Qantas?”@CathbTalbot said.

The airline also advised it is aware of fake websites claiming to be Qantas and listing toll-free 1800 numbers to call for flight cancellation refunds.

“These websites and numbers are not authentic Qantas websites or numbers,” the airline said.

If you and/or your clients have received such calls or come across a website claiming to be Qantas, you can report it at the Australian Competition and Consumer Comission (ACCC)’s ScamWatch website.

Featured image source: iStock/mattjeacock

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