Don't Fall for the Trap! 5 Vacation Scams Unveiled
You may get a call, a text message, or a flyer in the mail. Or maybe you’ll see an online ad promising free or low-cost vacations. Scammers and dishonest companies are often behind these offers. You may end up paying hidden fees or worse — after you pay, you might find out it’s all a scam.
Seen an ad online for a “free” vacation? Or, perhaps an email, call, or text message saying you’ve won a vacation, even though you never entered a contest? Beware! If you respond to these offers, you’ll quickly learn that you must pay some fees and taxes first — and your “free” vacation isn’t really free. Here are 4 other popular vacation scams to beware of:
1) Robocalls about vacation deals. These calls offering you vacation deals from companies trying to sell you something are illegal unless the company gets written permission from you. If someone is already breaking the law by robocalling you without permission, there’s a good chance it’s a scam.
2) International travel document scams. Be wary of websites claiming to assist you in obtaining international travel visas, passports, or other documents. These websites often mimic the official U.S. Department of State’s site and charge fees for services that are actually free and accessible to you.
3) International driving license permit scams (IDPs). An IDP translates your government-issued driver’s license into 10 languages. Fraudsters create websites selling these fake IDPs or attempt to sell them to you in person. Purchasing one of these IDPs would mean acquiring a worthless document. You could also face legal troubles or travel delays if detained for using it to drive in a foreign country. Only the U.S. Department of State, the American Automobile Association (AAA), and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are authorized to issue IDPs.
4) Vacation home scams. It’s easy to connect directly with property owners who advertise their vacation homes online. But online scammers are also trying to get your rental booking. They’ll hijack real rental listings and advertise them as their own. When you show up for your vacation, you may find that other people are also booked for the same property, you’ll have no place to stay, and your money is gone. Some theifs don’t bother with real rentals — they make up listings for places that aren’t really for rent or don’t exist.
5) Charter flight scams. You may see an advertisement about an offer to travel by private plane that includes lodging and sightseeing tours. You might think you’re signing up for a great vacation package, but after you pay, you find out it’s all a scam. Before you book, do your homework. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Special Authorities Division maintains a list of approved public charter flights. If the charter filing is not approved and not on the list, you’re probably dealing with a dishonest charter operator.
Protect yourself from these travel scams with these tips:
• Don’t sign or pay until you understand the terms of the deal. Obtain a copy of the cancellation and refund policies before making any payments. If you can’t get these details, it’s better to walk away.
• Conduct thorough research. Within a web search look up travel companies, hotels, rentals, and agents using keywords like “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” Reading about others’ experiences provides valuable insights. Verify the address of the property and, if it’s located in a resort, contact the front desk to confirm its details.
• Avoid paying with wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Fraudsters might insist on these payment methods, but they are clear signs of a scam. If you pay using any of these methods and encounter issues with your purchase, retrieving your money will likely be impossible, as they are difficult to track or recover.
Scammers can be very convincing, and they’re good at what they do. By staying vigilant and following these precautions, you can safeguard yourself against vacation scams, ensuring your travel experiences are secure and worry-free! If you were scammed or think you saw a scam, report it by notifying the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Resources:
MoneyTalkNews.com
