A public dispute has unfolded on social media after an influencer, Becca Alves (known as Petitevagabond), accused another influencer of fraudulently redeeming stolen Alaska Airlines points for flights. The incident highlights a growing issue: loyalty program fraud and the lengths people will go to avoid accountability.
The Initial Accusation
Alves discovered unauthorized charges on her Alaska Atmos Rewards account, tracing the redeemed miles to flights from Belize to Los Angeles booked under a specific name. Through online research, she identified the alleged perpetrator: another social media personality with a substantial following.
“Imagine my surprise when I wake up today with emails from Alaska, saying a bunch of miles have been redeemed on flights from Belize-LAX. It wasn’t me.” – Becca Alves, via social media.
Alves initially attempted private communication via email and direct message, receiving no response. She then publicly posted details of the itinerary, including passenger names, effectively naming the accused.
The Accused’s Response and Escalation
The accused influencer responded defensively, claiming to be a victim of her own compromised information. She dismissed the allegations as “inaccurate” and accused Alves of spreading misinformation and engaging in cyberbullying, particularly toward her child.
“I’m not sure why this was taken to the internet when I was actively sending my receipt… Posting this publicly was unnecessary and comes across as an attempt to be messy and damage my name.” – The accused influencer, via social media.
Despite claiming to have proof of purchase (“actively sending receipts”), the accused has yet to publicly provide this evidence. This refusal fuels skepticism, as it’s highly unusual for legitimate transactions to remain unverified in such a dispute.
Why This Matters: Loyalty Program Security and Public Shaming
The incident underscores how easily loyalty programs can be exploited. While airlines and banks continually improve security, determined fraudsters find loopholes. More broadly, this case raises questions about the ethics of “cancel culture” and public shaming.
The influencer’s decision to publicly confront the accused bypassed traditional dispute resolution channels (lodging a claim with Alaska Airlines, filing a police report) in favor of immediate social pressure. This method, while effective in forcing a response, raises concerns about due process and the potential for misidentification or exaggeration.
The Current Stalemate
Alves maintains the accused has not provided credible proof of legitimate purchase. The accused continues to deny wrongdoing, framing the situation as a personal attack. The confrontation remains unresolved, with both parties digging in deeper.
“If you say you have the receipts showing that the tickets were purchased legitimately in the first place, then post them… don’t write about how you’re ‘actively sending’ them, but just do it.” – Becca Alves, challenging the accused to provide proof.
The incident demonstrates how quickly online disputes can escalate, especially when high-profile individuals are involved. The lack of transparency from the accused, combined with the potential for fraud, leaves the public questioning her claims.
Ultimately, this case highlights the vulnerabilities of modern loyalty programs and the power dynamics of social media confrontations. The outcome will likely depend on whether either party presents verifiable evidence to support their claims.
