Protect yourself...
Scam Q&A
Anatomy of a Scam
Types of Scammers
Warning Signs of a Scam
Warnings of Internet Scam
What to do if Scammed
Scams
Nigerian Money Scam
Envelope Stuffing
Assembly Work
Medical Billing
900 Lines
Diploma Mills
FedEx/UPS Refund Tracer
Unclaimed Money
Bulk Email
Gambling Systems
Lottery Systems
Chain Letters
Home Typists
Email/Name compilers
Coupon Booklets
Adult Site Age Verification
Warnings
Government Auctions
Credit Repair
Free Vacations
High Yield Investments
Seminars
Infomercials
Business Opportunities
Wholesale Directories
Day Trading Systems
Website Design Jobs
Photography Jobs
Work at Home Listings
Government Loans/Grants
Scholarships
Display Rack Businesses
Domain Name Appraisals
Website Acquisitions
Ebay
Pay Per Click Advertising
Internet Affiliate Marketing
Paid Surveys
Mystery Shopping
'Make Money' Ebooks
Make Money Online
Clickbank
Online Malls
Matrix/Downlines
SEO Services
Talent/Modeling Agencies
Paid Website Traffic
Vending Business
Internet Consultants
How it Works
If you receive a phone call or postcard offering a free vacation, beware.
There's a good chance your dream vacation may turn into a real nightmare if
you aren't careful.
Reality Check
In some travel scams, the consumer is sent a postcard saying he has won
a free vacation. In others, the "vacation" is one of several prizes in a
sweepstakes. In most cases, the consumer is required to call a number for
more details or to "claim" the prize.
In one version of the scam, the consumer is told he will receive a package
in the mail detailing the vacation offer. The operator then asks for his credit
card number, saying there will be a small service charge made to his
account if he accepts the vacation. The consumer is assured he will have a
review period to decide if he wants the package before his account is billed
for the service charge. This promise usually proves to be false.
According to calls made to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection
Hotline, these companies are slow in sending the vacation package
materials and when they do arrive, the review period already has expired.
The firm quickly bills the consumer's credit card for hundreds of dollars for
its "service fee."
Other scams
In other scams, a consumer is offered a "dream vacation" for an incredibly
low price. After the consumer agrees and discloses his credit card number,
he learns the catch: To qualify he has to buy a second round-trip fare at
"regular price" -- only this price may cost two or three times more than it
would if he bought his ticket in advance or from an airline or reputable travel
agency.
In other instances the salesperson fails to mention that the "free" vacation
doesn't include meals, taxes, deposits or surcharges.
In a similar scam, consumers win a "free" vacation when they pay several
hundred dollars to join a travel club. The problem? When the consumer
picks dates and tries to book the trip, he is told all of those dates are
unavailable or already booked.
How to avoid scams
Don't give your credit card number to any person or business unless you
expect to be charged for a product or service.
Be wary of ads that have few details and promise a lot for little money.
Be cautious of firms that ask you to pay before confirming reservations. Most
reputable travel agents will confirm before payment.
Deal with an established firm. If a firm is unfamiliar to you, check with
relatives, friends or the Better Business Bureau.
Be wary of vacation offers that are "good today only."
Remember, the better a vacation package sounds the more thoroughly you
need to verify the package's details.
