German Airline - Travel Scams And The Unsuspecting Traveler

But they lead to expensive mistakes and disappointments for numerous consumers or would be travelers, these scams are relatively low cost to run. Receives every year, or Federal Trade Commission, fraudulent travel promotions and offers consistently make it to the top of the list of complaints that the FTC.

The offers are fraudulent travel promotions sent or called by unscrupulous travel promoters, generally. And fax, snail mail, e-mail, the offers arrive by telephone. Unsolicited travel offers arrive at many homes and businesses every day.

And e-mails with letterheads designed to look similar to the company the individual is working for further encourage the consumer into thinking the offer is legitimate, letters, faxes. The fraudulent offers look legitimate at first glance, disguised to look familiar and similar to companies that the consumer might have contact with or knowledge of.

This is exactly what the phony promoter of the travel package wants. People often respond immediately, anxious to take advantage of the good deal. The travel packages are enticing enough to encourage people to act quickly before they have time to think about it or talk to others about it.

But never receive the tickets or paperwork for the trip, customers have unwittingly paid for the purchase in full. They are told the deposit is non-refundable; but then, a full refund is offered in the event that they cancel. Consumers are enticed to place a deposit to hold the offer and its wonderful components. And other assorted perks, free spa packages, such as cruises or casino trips, special outings, free meals, vacations are offered with deluxe accommodations that include air conditioning and king size beds.

Look at the following tips and use them to guide you when planning a vacation. Then how is the company making any money, if it appears that they are giving the trip away? People are in the business of making money. Then it probably is, consumers need to follow their instinct and realize that if it looks and sounds too good to be true, likewise. Consumers need to know what signs to look for to discern the legitimacy of the offer. The best way to avoid a travel scam is to follow a few simple rules.

Reputable companies can rely on word of mouth to acquire business. Avoid responding to unsolicited offers for vacations. Avoid any offers for fantastic vacations that require overnight service for payment. Never deal with a company that insists on verifying your identification with additional credit card and social security numbers. Then it simply isn't legitimate, if the trip is advertised at well below market cost. Don't believe something that seems too good to be true. It won't be available later, if you don't sign on now, for example. Never deal with a company whose representative uses high-pressure tactics. You may be able to dispute the charges, if the vacation package does not meet your expectations. Use a credit card to make your purchase. Etc, cable television, king size bed, while most vacationers are probably thinking hot tub, one person's idea of luxury may simply be a soft bed and a full bathroom. " ask exactly what that means, if the agent uses the word "luxury. Ask for specifics. Verify your reservations and the level of accommodations by acquiring the telephone number and calling to make a few inquiries. Then do not pay, if the company refuses. Ask to receive the details of the trip in writing prior to payment. Steer clear, if there is a history of complaints. Contact the Better Business Bureau where you live and where the company is from. And phone number, address, ask for the company's full name. Have had personal contact with before, or someone you know, select a company that you. How To Avoid A Travel Scam Always deal with a reputable company.

The desk clerk might notify them of additional charges that were not previously mentioned, once the customer arrives at the destination. Hidden fees that do not materialize until the traveler arrives at the destination. Extra fees are added to the cost for incidentals and upgrades that were not mentioned previously, suddenly. How Travel Scams Rack Up The Price Hidden fees that are not revealed until after the consumer commits with a payment.

Words such as blackout dates and subject to availability will create loopholes that lead to the unavailability of the vacation package that the consumer has paid for in advance, moreover. "being selected to receive a trip" only means that you will be given the opportunity to pay for the trip, for example. But never comes right out and says it, travel marketers use vocabulary that hints at something. The unscrupulous travel marketer will actually lie about the actual components of the offer in an attempt to deceive customers and entice them into signing up for the vacation package, sometimes. Many details are often left out of the sales pitch. But refunds are rarely processed, refunds are promised for cancellations. Many times these presentations involve sitting through lengthy timeshare overviews and sales pitches. How Travel Scams Deceive Some of the offer is unavailable to the traveler until after they attend a special presentation.

Ask questions, when in doubt. Is the best way to go to schedule a vacation, who has a good record with the Better Business Bureau and some evidence of being around for a while, using a reputable travel agent, in most cases.

Ian White Access 2000 Pty Ltd 2006, copyright ©