| Coastal vacation scam artists take people's | | | | the phone or on the Internet, will offer constant |
| money with promises of phony vacations. Many | | | | assurances the hotel in the cheap Hawaiian |
| of these offers use words like "cheap Hawaiian | | | | vacation package features Oceanside views, |
| vacation" to lure travelers. | | | | luxuries rooms and private balconies---very broad |
| Most people dream of taking a coastal vacation. | | | | descriptions. |
| They may hope for a cheap Hawaiian vacation | | | | The "seller" of the coastal vacation scam may |
| package or dream of a coastal vacation resort | | | | claim they stayed there many times but cannot |
| weekend. | | | | give specifics. |
| But many coastal vacation scams disguise | | | | The company asks the consumer not to contact |
| themselves as legitimate offers. Police report an | | | | the hotel or resort directly about the vacation |
| increase in coastal vacation scams in recent years. | | | | package, another sign of a coastal vacation scam. |
| The Internet spawned a new breed of coastal | | | | If the consumer cannot confirm the reservations |
| vacation scam artist wanting to cheat honest | | | | with the hotel directly, the consumer should look |
| consumers out of their money. Anyone who | | | | elsewhere for a cheap Hawaiian vacation. |
| types in cheap Hawaiian vacation package into a | | | | Consumers should get the details and take charge |
| "Google" search engine will find over one million his. | | | | of their coastal vacation and not fall prey to |
| The Federal Trade Commission reported 3,600 | | | | coastal vacation scams. |
| consumers scammed in 2002, amounting to $3.5 | | | | 3. Coastal vacation scam artists use word like |
| million. How can consumers tell the difference | | | | "free" or "vacation offer." Often these so-called |
| between a coastal vacation scam and an honest | | | | "offers" include a daylong presentation before |
| cheap vacation package? | | | | families can use their free tickets--a common |
| 1. Many people operating coastal vacation scams | | | | coastal vacation scam technique. |
| will ask for a credit card or other financial | | | | If consumers cannot see the islands on their |
| information early in the conversation. Many of | | | | cheap Hawaiian vacation and must sit through |
| these so-called vacation companies want | | | | lengthy presentations, the vacation may not |
| consumers to give their financial information online | | | | seem so "cheap." |
| for a "cheap Hawaiian vacation." | | | | 4. The Better Business Bureau and other |
| The desire by the company to receive financial | | | | government agencies maintain lists of coastal |
| information before the consumer feel comfortable | | | | vacation scams. Smart consumers check these |
| doing so should indicate a red flag and a possible | | | | lists and report any contact by these coastal |
| coastal vacation scam. | | | | vacation scam artists. |
| Many cases of identity fraud started with coastal | | | | One of the more popular ruses offers a cheap |
| vacation scams. Consumers receive their bank or | | | | Hawaiian vacation or a cheap family vacation |
| credit card statements and find that in addition to | | | | package. |
| their "cheap Hawaiian vacation," charges of cash | | | | Fear of a coastal vacation scam should not keep |
| advances and purchases of high-dollar | | | | consumers from seeking out great vacation deals, |
| merchandise. | | | | like a cheap Hawaiian vacation. |
| Consumers who fall prey to identity fraud should | | | | Many companies offer legitimate family vacation |
| contact their local law enforcement immediately | | | | packages and an honest travel incentive program |
| about the coastal vacation scam. | | | | that saves families even more money on their |
| 2. The company operating coastal vacation scams | | | | vacation costs. Coastal vacation scams should not |
| will offer the consumer very little details about | | | | discourage travelers. |
| the planned trip. The person on the other line, on | | | | |