Paris, July 30 (Hu Zhen) According to France media 20Minutes, the Paris Olympics are approaching, and the France transport department warns the public to be wary of online ticket scams and calls for tickets to be purchased through official channels.
France's Greater Paris Regional Transport Authority (IDFM) recently issued a warning calling on all public transport users, especially tourists, to be highly vigilant when buying transport tickets during the Olympics. Some criminals pretend to be official institutions and carry out online fraud through various means, and the situation is becoming more and more serious.
"We are discovering new scams every day, and with the joint efforts of the communications, legal and IT departments, we systematically file complaints in every case," said the director of the communications department at IDFM. He also mentioned that many vigilant users will forward suspicious emails to them.
To ensure the security of ticket purchases, IDFM strongly recommends that users purchase tickets in two ways: at the ticket vending machines at the station and by using the "Transport Public Paris 2024" app, developed specifically for the Olympic Games. Not only can the app buy and store tickets, but it also provides the best route to the Olympic venues in real-time. So far, the app has been downloaded 550,000 times. In addition, IDFM added that the 'Bonjour RATP' and 'SNCF Connect' apps can also purchase passes for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
In recent days, IDFM has specifically mentioned an increase in phishing and scam attempts. "Scammers often promise our customers a refund of part of the Navigo pass fee via email, or sell tickets at a discounted price," said the head of the communications department. Once again, we remind our users that we will never ask for money or personal information via email! ”
These scam emails often use headlines such as 'Navigo - Subscription Suspended,' which arouses suspicion among users. Marc Pelissier, president of the Île-de-France Association of Public Transport Users (AUT), shared his experience: "When I received such a mail, I checked the sender's address and found that it was completely different from the IDFM's address. But one of my colleagues mistakenly thought that he really wanted to start a refund. ”
AUT confirmed that there has been an increase in scams and called on users to be on high alert to avoid financial losses due to providing personal information. To avoid falling for scams, IDFM offers the following recommendations:
1. Don't click on links in suspicious emails, especially those that ask for money or personal information.
2. Always log in to your account through the official website or app, not through an email link.
3. Double-check the spelling of the sender's email address. The only official domain name for IDFM is iledefrance-mobilites.fr.
Experts advise that before arriving in Paris, it is advisable to check the official ticket channels of the local public transport system. If in doubt, you can contact IDFM directly or seek help from your hotel, tourist information centre upon arrival to ensure you get the correct transport information and a valid ticket.