If you have friends and family members who aren’t so lucky as to live in Middle and East Tennessee, you may be racking up airline miles with how much you travel, particularly during the holiday season. We want to help you travel securely and without compromising your personal information during such a busy time of year by warning against a recent email scam targeting TSA PreCheck users.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck is a US airport screening program that allows you to get through airport security with fewer steps and without waiting in long lines—a great resource for the frequent flyer. However, cybercriminals are sending lookalike emails claiming to be from TSA PreCheck, encouraging travelers to enroll in or renew their memberships by visiting the provided link and paying a fee. However, the linked site is fake, and any money (or other information) you provide goes directly to the scammer.
Rest assured, the real TSA will not email you with direct payment links, and though travelers can pre-enroll online, they can only finalize membership at an in-person Enrollment Center. When in doubt about the state of your membership, be sure to contact the TSA directly.
As a rule of thumb, always double-check before clicking a link or downloading a file sent to you by email, including emails that appear to be from legitimate airlines, hotels, rental agencies, or other travel-related services. We recommend following these tips to help avoid falling victim to scams such as these:
- Unsolicited emails instructing you to take urgent action should be treated very cautiously. Cybercriminals often try to create a sense of urgency to trick you into falling for their scams.
- Beware of unexpected requests for money, including fee payment. Be sure to confirm the source and legitimacy of the payment request before providing financial information.
- Legitimate travel organizations will not ask you to provide sensitive or personal information through email. Always make sure that you are using the organization’s official webpage before entering any information or user credentials.
Afraid you may have shared your SouthEast Bank financial information with the wrong person? Please contact 1-844-SEBANKS (732-2657) or visit your local branch. The sooner you let us know, the sooner we can help protect you and other customers from potential scams!
