Camilla Jessen
Discarded bag tags could expose your travel info, worker says.
A viral Reddit post from a user claiming to work in airport baggage services has sparked fresh concerns about how discarded luggage tags could be exploited by scammers.
The warning calls for passengers to rethink a common habit at baggage claim and to be more careful with the personal information printed on those tags.
The post comes as some travelers report fraudulent reimbursement claims being filed in their names.
How the scam works
The Reddit user, who says they are a baggage claims manager, wrote in the r/delta forum that passengers should never rip off and toss their luggage tags while still in the airport.
“We are getting an influx of fraudulent claims… people are observing who is removing their luggage tags in the claim areas and using your information to submit claims for reimbursement,” they wrote.
According to the post, scammers collect discarded tags, use the passenger’s name and flight details, create fake email accounts and phone numbers, and then file missing-item reports.
The writer said this is complicating reimbursement for legitimate cases because false claims “cause issues with reimbursing the real people.”
“Don’t take your tags off at the airport… They can steal enough information from that to use your travel itinerary to get paid,” the writer advised.
Expert weighs in
Not everyone believes the scam is widespread.
Texas-based travel expert Gary Leff told Fox News Digital that although the scheme is possible, it’s unlikely to be happening at a large scale.
“You should keep the bag tag attached until any baggage issues are fully resolved, then discard it at home,” Leff recommended.
He noted that airlines track bags through multiple scans during their journey. If someone files a missing-bag claim despite a record showing successful delivery, “that’s going to be a flag,” he said.
Leff added that filing false claims for items supposedly missing from a delivered bag is a far more common fraud tactic.
Both the Reddit poster and Leff agree on one point: hold onto your bag tag until you’re completely sure there are no baggage problems. After that, dispose of it at home rather than in the terminal, where anyone could pick it up.
Sources: Reddit; Fox News Digital
