Scams

Airline passengers were issued a warning in a social media post shared by Jet2

Jet2 has issued a safety warning that applies to all passengers flying with the airline. The low-cost carrier has urged customers to ‘look for the gold tick’ when contacting its customer service agents on social media. The airline regularly responds to passenger questions on X as Jet2tweets, where the Jet2 team assists Jet2.com and Jet2holidays customers.

However, scammers may contact social media users, falsely claiming to be from Jet2. The official Jet2tweets account highlighted the possible risk to passengers in a recent post.

A team member warned a customer named Elaine to ‘look for the gold tick’ before replying to any messages sent to her on X. Elaine had contacted Jet2tweets with a question about an upcoming booking.

She wrote: “Jet2tweets Hi. We leave Faro for Liverpool on 19th April. Please could you advise what time we should arrive. We don’t need to check in any baggage. Thank you.”

Answering the question, Jet2 replied: “Hi Elaine, thank you for getting in touch. Our check-in desks open from two hours and thirty minutes before standard departure time. Please feel free to check in from this time. I hope this helps. If there’s anything further we can assist you with, please do let us know. Thank you, Rachel.”

In a follow-up response, another Jet2 team member issued a warning to Elaine, which applies to all passengers using X to contact the airline. Jet2tweets wrote: “Hi Elaine, it appears you have been reached out to by a fake account not affiliated with Jet2holidays. Please be vigilant when dealing with these accounts and be aware our only official account is @Jet2tweets (look for the gold tick).”

Jet2tweets is a verified account on X, as indicated by the gold tick next to its name. When customers click on the gold tick, it displays an official message from X, which reads: “This account is verified because it’s an official organisation on X.”

More information is available on the X Help Center, which explains the different checkmarks that social media users might see on the platform. For example, accounts that subscribe to X Premium could have a blue checkmark. Meanwhile, a grey checkmark is used for government officials or organisations.

Any X users impersonating a business or person risk permanent suspension. The Help Center states: “Impersonation is a violation of the X Rules. Accounts that pose as another person, group, or organisation in a confusing or deceptive manner may be permanently suspended under X’s misleading and deceptive identities policy.”

The guidance says that brands can file a report in the Help Center if they believe an account is posing as them. If an X user believes an account is misusing someone else’s identity, they can also report it as a bystander directly on the account’s profile.

The country welcomed 400,000 Brits in 2025, and now the government has updated its travel advice for the country and have highlighted some issues that tourists visiting the area might face

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a travel warning for a destination that’s popular with Brits and updated some of its advice for those visiting the country. This included a stark warning about a particular tourist attraction that has become increasingly dangerous.

South Africa saw 400,000 visitors arrive from the UK in the past year alone, and the FCDO has previously said it is ‘likely’ that terrorists could try to carry out attacks such as a ‘lone actor’ attacking public spaces including tourist sites. Its advice for tourists is to: “Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.”

However, it’s worth noting that many countries have similar advice around terror attacks, and that the FCDO is careful to state that “No travel can be guaranteed safe.” Recently, the FCDO updated the advice for those visiting South Africa to add some new warnings on fraud and scams and other risks.

It reiterated: “Be alert to the risk of scams, including through business or job opportunities, visa services or offers of romance and friendships, including on dating apps. Do not meet up with or send money to someone you do not know or have not met in person.”

It warned of the risks of common scams like card skimming and confidence tricks, and said there had been an increase in cybercrime and internet scamming. The FCDO also updated its advice about nightlife and dating, saying: “Criminals use dating apps to rob, rape or sexually assault victims. Be cautious using dating apps and meet in well-lit, public places. Always tell friends or family your plans.

“Be wary when dealing with strangers who offer free drinks, rides or unexpected personal attention. There have been instances of drink spiking involving robbery and sexual assault with both male and female victims. If you think your drink has been spiked, seek immediate medical help and contact the police.”

The FCDO has also offered advice for those planning to hire a car in South Africa and said that visiting Brits should drive carefully. It added: “Driving standards vary in South Africa. Fatal road accidents are common, particularly around weekends and major public holidays.” Brits should also make themselves familiar with local rules and etiquette such as speed limits and overtaking.

Another section of the page that was update gave specific advice about Table Mountain National Park. The area is a popular tourist attraction for hikers and cyclists, and has many unique plants and trees that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. However, the FCDO says: “There have been recent violent attacks and muggings against hikers and foreign tourists in Table Mountain National Park, including on Lion’s Head and Signal Hill.”

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It gave some advice to people planning a trip to the national park, advising them to avoid quieter areas, especially during early mornings and evenings when there won’t be many fellow hikers around. Visitors should stay on busy, marked trails, and visit during peak times such as weekends.

Finally, the FCDO advised people not to hike alone in the area.

Anyone planning a trip to South Africa in the near future should ensure they check the FCDO advice page before they leave, and sign up for e-mail alerts so they can be notified when any changes are made.

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