Connecticut BBB advises consumers about how to identify and avoid travel and vacation scams

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar 31, 2010 -
As summer approaches, consumers are beginning to book travel packages to get away from it all.  Unfortunately, because of a number of travel industry scams, Connecticut BBB is advising consumers how to spot and avoid the threat of vacation and travel-related fraud.

In 2009, Better Business Bureaus nationwide received 7,040 complaints about travel agencies and travel clubs, 33 of them from Connecticut consumers. Many of the complaints concerned cancellations of tours or flights, or inadequate accommodations.  

The statistics do not reflect complaints about “special offers” or travel clubs that deceive and cheat consumers out of their money.  In some instances, consumers will receive a certificate informing them that they have been selected for a vacation prize. To their surprise, when they call to claim the prize, they are asked for their credit card number by the travel promoter.  

Signs of a travel club scam include requirements for advance payments without a contract, transactions by telephone only and, in order to receive a prize, sitting through a sales presentation. The “prize” certificates also may have significant hidden fees attached to them.

Here are some tips to consider when making your travel arrangements:

Don’t be fooled by fancy web sites, e-mails, flyers or telemarketers: Few legitimate businesses can afford to give away products and services of real value or substantially undercut other companies’ prices.

Get the details. Ask for the details of any vacation package in writing, including refund and cancellation policies and always check the fine print for all the terms and conditions.

Keep the documentation: Request a copy of your travel services contract and keep all receipts.

Pay with your credit card: It’s a good idea to pay with a credit card as it may offer you some protection. You can also ask whether your card provides you with any travel insurance.

Be very wary around 'free travel' offers: This is actually the slogan of many travel scams. If you see this phrase on a web page, click away and look elsewhere. Nothing is ever free and the benefit you expect to be free, you’ll probably end up paying for in the end or may not even receive.

While most travel-related companies are trustworthy, it is important for consumers to be aware of their rights and responsibilities as a travel customer.  Many common problems can be avoided by researching the marketplace record of travel service companies at bbb.org.