| Congratulations!!! You have been selected to win | | | | pay before you receive any details about the trip, |
| an exciting luxury vacation to....... | | | | or ask you to pay for more information.- Are you |
| Where have you heard that one before? Although | | | | told you can?t leave for two months? This should |
| there are many genuine travel offers, there are | | | | be cause for concern because the deadline for |
| also many travel scams that defraud innocent | | | | disputing a credit card charge is 60 days. - Is the |
| travelers out of millions of dollars each month. | | | | supplier simply identified as "a major airline," or a |
| Travel is a big ticket item and most people would | | | | ?popular hotel? without getting into specifics? |
| like to save some money or even travel for free. | | | | - If you have won a free vacation, you should |
| Unfortunately, it opens the door to some | | | | not be asked to pay hundreds of dollars in order |
| unscrupulous individuals and companies who try to | | | | to ?claim? your prize. |
| take advantage of this. | | | | How to protect yourself from Travel Scams |
| Travel packages turn out to be very different | | | | - Determine the complete cost of the trip in |
| from what was originally offered or what the | | | | dollars, including all service charges, taxes, |
| ?winner? expected. Sometimes, the company just | | | | processing fees, etc. |
| takes the money and runs! So if you get a phone | | | | - Pay by credit card, if you don't get what you |
| call or email offering a free or extremely | | | | paid for, you may be able to dispute the charges |
| low-priced vacation , keep these tips in mind: | | | | with your credit card company. |
| The Most Common Travel Scams | | | | - Don't be pressured into buying anything, |
| - Emails, phone calls, or snail mail advising that you | | | | legitimate businesses don't pressure you to make |
| have been selected to ?win? a free vacation, free | | | | a purchase. |
| airfare, or a hotel stay, especially when you | | | | - Get a receipt in writing. If you make |
| haven't entered anything. | | | | reservations online, print out the itinerary and |
| - Ads for great travel deals or discounts with the | | | | receipt. |
| condition that you agree to a time share | | | | - Find out the exact names of the hotels, airports, |
| presentation. You will be subjected to a high | | | | airlines, and restaurants that your package |
| pressure sales pitch that is really not worth your | | | | includes; if they tell you a "major hotel chain" or |
| time - unless of course you really are interested | | | | "major airline" ask for specifics |
| in buying a timeshare! | | | | - Always ask for a copy of the cancellation and |
| - Travel clubs that charge a fee for their great | | | | refund policies.- If you are told that you've won a |
| travel discounts and offers. There are of course | | | | free vacation, ask if you have to pay any money |
| may legitimate travel clubs but there are just as | | | | in order to get it. |
| many that are not. Do your research well to | | | | - Be aware of what "subject to availability" means |
| make sure it is worth it. | | | | may not get the accommodations you want |
| - Contests which do not post or provide rules or | | | | when you want them. |
| requirements or even any details about the | | | | - Be aware that if you have been ?specially |
| company running it. A legitimate contest will | | | | selected to receive our Super Duper Travel Deal |
| provide rules to participants and if it does not, it is | | | | offer" doesn't mean you'll get it free, it means |
| probably just a ploy to get information on you. | | | | you'll be offered an opportunity to pay for a |
| How to Spot the Red Flags | | | | travel deal! |
| - Does the price seem too good to be true? If | | | | And last but not least, be skeptical. Read or listen |
| so, it probably is. | | | | to carefully what is being said, not what you want |
| - Are you pressured to make a decision on the | | | | to hear. We would all like to win that all expenses |
| spot? | | | | paid dream vacation to Hawaii, but like everything |
| - Did you get the call after business hours. | | | | else, you get what you pay for if you don?t pay |
| Legitimate businesses normally operate between | | | | attention first. |
| regular business hours.- Did they require you to | | | | |