Travel scams — ramping up for summer

Travel scams

We just returned from an EV road trip to Avila Beach and Santa Barbara. The trip was a lot of fun, even more so because it was uneventful (in terms of bad things happening, that is.) Not everyone is so lucky, though. And if you’re looking for a great deal on your vacation, you could be opening up yourself to one of the many summer travel scams.

Vacation rental

Our trip was only for a few days, so we stuck to hotels. If you’re not the hotel-staying type, you may be interested in renting a vacation condo or house. We’ve certainly done enough of that in the past, but the tricky part if making sure that your dream vacation rental really is for rent. Typically, the vacation rental scam works when the ‘owner’ creates a listing for a fabulous place at an unbeatable price. 

Avoid this scam by sticking to reputable booking companies or by doing some due diligence. Check reviews of the property and the rental agent. Call the owner on the phone and ask questions. If the owner exerts pressure to rent because there is more interest or is vague about the property, walk away. Also, check the property out by looking at it on Google Maps and using the Street View. Make sure the property matches the one you’re paying for. 

The ‘free’ vacation

You do know these aren’t really free, right?  For instance, a ‘free’ cruise might require you to pay fees for air transportation to the port, port charges, taxes, tips and more. More than that is the potential for the outright identity theft. You’re told you’ve won a free trip…but you just need to confirm your identity. The best solution is to walk away from this deal. It’s most likely a scam designed to rip you off.

Hotel scams

If you think staying in a hotel makes you immune to scams, think again. First, there’s the fake front-desk call. It happens when your room phone rings and the person on the other end of the call tells you there’s a problem with the credit card you have on file. They ask you to confirm your details. If you provide the information, you’re setting yourself up for a scam. If you do get a call like this, go to the front desk and let them know what’s happened. Above all, don’t give out information to anyone who calls your room.

Have you ever gotten a flyer for a local restaurant slipped under your hotel-room door? Before you place that order, confirm that the restaurant really does exist and that they deliver by calling the front desk or looking them up online. Scammers have been bringing in the bucks from orders placed by unsuspecting travelers who call and provide their credit card information. And just to rub a little salt in the wound, the scammer never does deliver your food.

Here are two excellent resources for helping you to stay safe from travel scams. In November 2021, the FBI published FBI Tech Tuesday: Beware of Travel Scams. And in May 2021, the Better Business Bureau published BBB Tip: 5 top vacation scams to watch for when making travel plans.

Did you see last week’s entry? You can find it at Bataquitos Lagoon and the tale of the blue heron. Click here to view more Friday Morning Post entries, or you can follow me on Twitter.

July Book & a Latte Contest

The contest will run through July 31. Winners will receive a $5.00 Starbucks gift card and a Kindle version of one of my books. Recipients of The Friday Morning Post are eligible to receive 3 bonus entries. If you’re not subscribed to The Friday Morning Post, you can get bonus entries by joining the mailing list using the form at the end of this post.

Terms & Conditions: No purchase is necessary. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. By submitting your entry, you agree to be entered into Terry Ambrose’s email newsletter list. Your information will not be shared with anyone else, and you may unsubscribe at any time. Winners will be chosen by Rafflecopter from all entrants for the prize. Winners will be notified by email. Terry Ambrose is not responsible for transmission failures, computer glitches or lost, late, damaged or returned email. Prizes must be claimed within 5 days or they will be forfeit. Physical prizes for U.S. mailing addresses only. International winners may choose from our ebook options. No transfers or substitutions are allowed. Winners must pick from the books offered.