When the economy is in trouble, scams increase. And these days, with gas prices so high and the cost of plane tickets skyrocketing, most people are looking for the best possible bargains when they travel for work or play.
According to the National Fraud Information Center, the average loss to fraud in 2004 was $803 per incident, and travel fraud was second in frequency of complaints. So what three things do I do to keep my money safe and avoid ruining my vacation?
I read the fine print. This advice works for everything, from "funky" airfare pricing (it looks like a really great deal until you realize it's the price for one-way travel) to misleading offers to check out a timeshare. MSNBC.com reported on one individual who fell for such a trick during a vacation in Mexico. He thought he was extending his stay by agreeing to try out a timeshare. But when he returned, he found that he actually bought that timeshare—his credit card had been charged $37,000! I also won't sign any contract or form unless it is in a language I read fluently.
I do my research. Is the business a member of a professional group such as the American Society of Travel Agents, the Association of Retail Travel Agents, or the Cruise Lines International Association? Does it belong to its local Chamber of Commerce? These memberships usually indicate that a company is serious about doing business with you. I also find out how long the company has been around and if complaints have been lodged against it with the Better Business Bureau.
I'm skeptical of deals that are "too good to be true." Sure, every once in a blue moon you'll find a legitimate price that is far below the market value. But those are rare. More often than not that low, low price has hidden add-ons.
Tomorrow, I'll blog about ten red flags that warn me when a "deal" is more likely to be a "scam."
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