Seen At 11: Barcode Bandits Could Access Your Information When You Fly

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's not just lost luggage that airline travelers need to worry about.

Your personal information could be stolen from a simple piece of paper that most people don't even think twice about.

As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, barcode bandits could be looking over your shoulder to steal information that could cost you big.

Your boarding pass could make you an easy target for hackers.

Cyber security expert Ian Marlow said the barcode lets thieves access your personal information.

"What was gleaned off the boarding pass by scanning it was my full name, the record locator right here, which will tell you everything about the flight that I'm on, where I'm going, where I've been," he said.

Store receipts and product barcodes usually just contain pricing information and transaction references, but for someone who wants your information, the barcodes can open a window of opportunity.

"Whether or not you're home at that time where it's a burglar looking. I can actually change seats, I can cancel flights," Marlow said.

In some instances, they can access your home and email address, or even steal frequent flier miles.

"And you'll be none the wiser until you go in and look at the account," Marlow said.

Experts suggested exercising caution with your boarding pass. Don't leave it behind, toss it in the trash, or post them to social media. Even electronic boarding passes with a visible barcode could be vulnerable.

"I have a case that actually covers the screen until I get up to the front," Marlow said.

Travel expert Peter Greenberg made a case for a paper pass.

"If the computer fails you have evidence that you actually belong on that flight, they can manually board you on the plane," he explained.

Different airlines have different vulnerabilities when it comes to information that can be read with a bar code scanner. The best advice is to always be careful.