As US airports become more crowded, particularly during peak travel times, many passengers are turning to TSA PreCheck to reduce waiting times. However, the initial enrollment process for this program has become a target for scammers who create fake websites to deceive applicants.
The popularity of the TSA PreCheck program among frequent travelers has led scammers to exploit the demand by creating convincing fake websites. Karin Zilberstein from Guardio, a browser extension that detects fake sites and malware, explained to ABC 11: “We are seeing a disturbing trend of mimicking TSA-like sites. The quality of the sites, obviously, scammers are getting better, using generative AI in producing more and more realistic sites.”
Zilberstein advises caution when navigating online, especially regarding links claiming affiliation with TSA. She warns against "malvertising," or advertising purchased for malicious purposes.