TRAVELERS may be at risk of falling prey to a new TSA scam this holiday season - but key clues can reveal the scheme before it even starts. Fliers should think twice before they try to dodge security lines by signing up for TSA PreCheck . That's because heartless scammers are using the service to trick travelers into handing over their information and yanking funds from their bank accounts .
Fraudster have started sending out emails asking travelers whether they'd like to sign up for the PreCheck services ahead of Thanksgiving and Christmas travels. Unsuspecting recipients can then fork over their credit card numbers and personal info with a promise they'll be saving on precious travel time. However, they're in for a nasty surprise when they get to the airport, as fliers can't sign up for PreCheck online, the Federal Trade Commission warned.
read more in travel According to the FTC, travelers should never be able to pay for a TSA PreCheck application fee online. Instead, registry must be finalized in person at a TSA enrollment center, and locations for those can be check on the administration's website. There are some other red flags travelers should watch for when asked about PreCheck, such as being rushed to pay by the solicitor.
Fliers are also warned to never click links in unexpected emails or text messages, and head straight to TSA's website for info instead of relying on spam. Most read in Travel Travelers who already have PreCheck can renew the service in person or on.