As you make your summer travel plans this year, or perhaps you’ve already hit the road or you’re on your way to the airport, one thing to keep in mind – without putting too much of a damper on your trip – is to stay financially vigilant when finalizing your vacation plans.
The travel and events sector is especially susceptible to fraud and scams as people are looking for deals in locations that might be unfamiliar, with bad actors savvier than ever when it comes to separating travelers from their money. Once travelers figure out their plans, they’re ready to hand over the funds to make their dream vacations happen – and scammers are more than happy to take it.
Aja Clark, a community manager in D.C., offers these tips to help you avoid the latest and most common travel scams so you can relax and enjoy your trip.
Vacation rental scams
So you’ve found a great house on a vacation rental website and email the property through the website. You might have received a call back from the “owner,” who asked you to send your deposit through Zelle or another peer-to-peer app. The “owner” will often pressure you into sending a deposit to hold the property, saying there’s a lot of demand for the location, and may ask to move the conversation from the official website to a private messaging app
As your trip gets closer, you might reach out to confirm the details or assume all is well and travel to the property at the start of your trip. That’s when you discover the location is already booked, not available to rent, or doesn’t exist at all.
The listing you saw could have been fake, or a fake phone number was posted to a real listing, and the true owner has no idea about your reservation. Either way, you’re stuck without lodging and your payment, with little chance of getting your money back.
Most major property rental sites offer fraud guarantees, but only if you pay and communicate with the owners through the site. To avoid lodging scams, try to see properties in person if possible, read reviews from other travelers, and pay through the official platform. Sending deposits through wire transfers or P2P apps is like sending cash — once you send it, you may not be able to get it back.
“Free” trips
Unless you’ve won a legitimate contest or sweepstakes – and even those should be examined – there’s no such thing as a free vacation. If you get a call, text, email or other notification that you’ve won a free vacation, it may be a scam, especially if you don’t remember entering a contest.
Watch out for automated calls or texts offering free vacations or “vacation deals.” There may not be a vacation package available at all, or you’ll be asked to pay processing fees, taxes, and other costs to claim your “free” trip, which might include substandard accommodations.
If you did enter a contest and are told you’re the winner, you won’t be asked to send money to claim your prize. The Federal Trade Commission is a good resource for information on recognizing legitimate versus fraudulent contests.
Flight scams
If you hear about a charter flight or other private flight deal to a destination, sometimes including a tour or hotel stay, be extra careful. Too many would-be travelers find out after paying their money that the flight, and sometimes the entire trip, is nonexistent.
The U.S. Department of Transportation maintains updated lists of approved charter flights so you can make sure the company you’re considering is legitimate.
Concert/event ticket scams
The event ticket industry is ripe for scammers. You might find an amazing deal for a sold-out show on social media, send money to the seller, and never hear from them again. Not only do you not have concert tickets, but there’s also no way to get your money back.
While some social media sellers might be legitimate, the best sources for ticket deals are verified resale sites that handle transactions and guarantee authenticity. If something goes wrong, there’s a digital “paper trail” that can help you get your money back.
Reminders
While even the most prepared consumers can fall victim to a well-executed scam, remember these tips to protect your vacation plans.
- Zelle and other P2P payment apps should be reserved for family, friends and businesses you know and trust. Treat your transactions like cash — once scammers get the money, you may not get it back.
- Scammers are advertising on social media and social marketplaces. Whenever possible, shop through official websites and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true before sending any money.
- Scammers can make caller ID, emails, and texts display as messages from your bank or other businesses. If you are unsure, end the conversation and reach out to the company directly through their official website or call the number on the back of your card
For more financial health tips, visit chase.com/security.
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Based on reporting by Washington Informer.
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