Beware of the Latest Ticket Scam in Budapest

Budapest, the vibrant capital of Hungary, has recently been targeted by scammers who are exploiting the city’s public transportation system. The scammers are using Facebook to lure unsuspecting victims with offers of heavily discounted Budapest transit passes. In this article, we will delve into the details of this scam and provide tips on how to protect yourself from falling victim to these fraudulent activities.

The Scam

The scammers have created a Facebook page called “Budapest Public Transportation” which claims to be offering 500 limited-edition Budapest transit passes to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the Budapest Transport Center (BKK). The post features comments from seemingly legitimate profiles claiming to have received the passes, which allegedly allow them to travel for almost free, paying only 800 HUF (approximately $2.50 USD) for six months of unlimited travel.

However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that these profiles are newly created and the images they use are fake. When users click on the link provided in the post, they are redirected to a website called “history303.com” instead of the official BKK website, which should immediately raise suspicion.

The Deception

Although the text on the fraudulent website is mostly written in correct Hungarian, the three questions users are asked to answer as part of the supposed giveaway are clearly the result of a poor translation. Once users have answered the questions, they are prompted to provide personal information such as their name, address, email, and phone number.

The scammers then attempt to obtain the user’s bank account details under the guise of charging the 800 HUF for the discounted pass. However, it is highly likely that they will deduct a much larger amount from the victim’s account. The entire process is a blatant scam, and users are strongly advised not to share any sensitive information on the website.

Not the First Time

This is not the first instance of scammers exploiting the BKK’s name on Facebook. In recent months, the Budapest Transport Center has received numerous reports of phishing scams promoting travel discounts under the BKK’s name. These fraudulent Facebook pages closely resemble the official BKK page, using its branding and images to promote free or discounted tickets and passes. However, their sole purpose is to obtain users’ personal and credit card information.

How to Protect Yourself

To avoid falling victim to these scams, it is crucial to purchase BKK tickets and passes only from trusted sources. These include the official BudapestGO app, BKK ticket machines, customer service centers, cash desks, and authorized resellers. You can find the nearest sales point by visiting bkk.hu/pontkereso.

If you come across a suspicious Facebook page or website offering heavily discounted BKK passes, do not click on any links or provide any personal information. Instead, report the page to Facebook and inform the BKK of the fraudulent activity.

Conclusion

As the latest ticket scam in Budapest demonstrates, it is essential to remain vigilant when purchasing public transportation passes online. By being aware of the tactics used by scammers and only buying tickets and passes from official sources, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes. Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.