Mango takes flight against crime

Mango CEO Nico Bezuidenhout has taken a hard line against credit card fraud, stepping up procedures at the airline following a spike in fraudulent transactions and the increased occurrence of cloned cards. Starting Monday 5 February all online and telephonic card bookings will require the physical card or a copy thereof as well as a copy of the cardholder's ID document present at check-in.

"The procedure is designed to protect cardholders," says Bezuidenhout, who admits that it adds a slight inconvenience to travelling. "It should contribute substantially to minimising fraud." He says that during a test period the airline uncovered as many as three cloned cards over a period of two days. "We ask that Mango Guests assist us in this initiative. Prevention of dishonesty is always the best remedy."

Zero tolerance

Mango will not tolerate dishonesty. The airline has also temporarily halted sponsored bookings through its Edgars charge card payment method and is taking a hard line against pilferage of any kind. "This includes baggage pilferage where Mango continues to work with all aviation role players to minimise losses to travellers," says Bezuidenhout.

Travellers can assist in preventing theft by not packing valuables in their checked luggage. "Expensive items such as cell-phones, cameras, tablets, gifts and such should never be checked in. Keep them on your person and avoid creating temptation." This rule of thumb should apply when flying through any airport in the world.

"Fraud and crime prevention should always be the first consideration when tackling a challenge and I believe that together with our guests, we can make a difference."