Travel the world without being taken for a ride
Experts advise travelers to be careful in strange cities or countries. However, when you consider the number of travel scams out there, you should be wary before you even book a trip.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new destination, but it’s important to keep your wits about you. Scammers rely on your lack of knowledge to promote vacation rentals that either don’t exist or aren’t theirs to rent. If all you get are vague descriptions like “five-star resort” or “luxury” cruise ship rather than addresses and verifiable names of resorts or tour operators, walk away.
Another common scam is a “free” trip or a “once-in-a-lifetime” deal on a vacation package, airline tickets or resort accommodations. These amazing deals always come with hefty upfront charges, insurance, taxes and other fees – making that “cheap” trip not so cheap after all.
Get out there and see the world. Just do it with your eyes wide open.
Six ways to make sure you get the vacation you paid for:
- Avoid too-good-to-be-true deals “Unbelievable” deals on airline tickets or resort accommodations are unbelievable for a reason. They’re almost always scams.
- Do your research Before booking or putting down a deposit, research the address and previous guest reviews of the destination, property or rental agency.
- Use only reputable booking platforms Pay with a credit card so if a trip does turn out to be a scam, you can get help.
- Avoid untraceable payment methods One sure sign of a travel scam is being asked to pay using wire transfers, gift cards or crypto.
- Trust your gut If something feels off, or you’re being pressured to provide a large deposit or make a quick decision, walk away. Don’t let anyone rush you. 6. Don’t sign or pay until you know the terms If you’re not getting those details, or you’re not comfortable with what they include, don’t book.
Keeping you one step ahead of travel scams this summer is another way Credit Union ONE is helping to protect you, your data and your finances.