Avoiding Travel Scams

It's been a year or so since I've brought up the subject of travel scams, so I thought I would resurrect that subject again. What brought it to mind was a conversation I had with someone recently who indicated that they had been notified by phone that they had been selected to win a free cruise, and if they were interested, and give the caller a credit card for the $99 in tax, they would throw in 3 free nights at a resort in Florida or a hotel in Las Vegas....take your choice. I just shook my head.....

In the first place, there is no “free” cruise. Someone has to pay for it in some form or fashion. In the second place, it's not “free” if you need to supply your credit card for a payment for anything. Further complicating your “winning” will be the common experience of the cruise being “booked” or not available on the days you want to travel.

Generally the scam operators will not give you full and complete information until you've given them your credit card number. Once you do that, you will find that there will be restrictions of some kind or conditions that would make the trip more expensive or impossible for you to take.

To help avoid being a victim of a travel scam, the American Society of Travel Agents provides the following suggestions when evaluating travel offers:

• Be extremely skeptical about post card and phone solicitations which say you have been

  selected to receive a fabulous vacation;

• Never give out your credit card number unless you initiate the transaction and you are

  confident about the company with which you are doing business;

• You should receive complete details in writing about any trip prior to payment. These

  details should include the total price and specific information about all components

of the package;

• If you insist on calling a 900 number in response to a travel solicitation, understand the

  charges and know the risks;

• Walk away from high pressure sales presentations which don't allow you time to evaluate

  the offer, or which require that you disclose your income;

• Be suspicious of companies which require that you wait at least 60 days to take your trip.

We've found that these “opportunities” occur frequently around major national or local events like the State Fair, or the West Texas Fair and Stock Show, and especially right before summer vacations. If you think you have been scammed, do not be embarrassed to contact the local Better Business Bureau or even the states attorney general's office.....even the newspaper or social media.

You can also call your trusted travel agents at The Travel Factory who will be happy to give you good advice about that “free” trip you might have won, and then help you plan a fabulous vacation the not only saves you time, but often helps your pocketbook. Call us at 698-1421 or 800-760-4040, or find us at 4150 Southwest Drive at the Plaza at Park Central.