How to Avoid Vacation Scams
The economy is bad, and you are already reluctant to go away on vacation, yet you know the risks of not taking the much needed time off. You book your trip, pay your deposit, take a flight, and your nightmare begins!
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, every month, travel and holiday scams defraud customers of millions of dollars. Such scams are typically characterized by unsustainable low rates or free or exclusive deals.
Scam-artists have many methods and techniques for depriving you of your hard-earned money, but by becoming informed about how these scam-artists operate you can learn to identify when you may be getting set up and protect yourself.
Here are three tips to help get you started.
Tip 1
COPYRIGHT_WI: Published on https://washingtonindependent.com/how-to-avoid-vacation-scams/ by Susan Murillo on 2021-01-22T14:22:50.981Z
Be aware of the buzzwords related to travel and holiday scams. Offers packed with buzzwords such as free, guaranteed, you're qualified to win, vacation bid, you just won, anything for nothing, last chance, just today, and so on. Don't be seduced by terms, any deal that is decent, legitimate, and mutually beneficial need not be seduced by the customer.
A good offer only requires an explanation of how it works and why it is mutually beneficial.
Tip 2
Arrange your holiday trips via nearby, existing businesses. As I said earlier, legitimate companies do sell discount vacation packages (due to a competitive market) and could very well offer free vacations after too many bookings.
The best way to avoid travel and vacation scams altogether is to seek out these companies rather than dealing with companies that seek out you (and your wallet).
Tip 3
Get it in writing. The best way to verify the offer and your subsequent arrangements are to have the details in writing with the cancellation and refund policies of the company.
So long as you keep these three simple tips in mind you should have a fun and happy vacation. Enjoy your vacation and spend the time with your family and your friends and make sure that you get your well-deserved break from work. Enjoy!
About The Authors
Susan Murillo - Susan has been interested in real estate since she was a child in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Susan had always wanted to pursue a direction that would encourage her to support others, and she discovered her true calling in real estate, where she could serve her clients and direct them through one of their most significant investments. Shannon has been involved in the selling and distribution of one billion dollars in real estate in Western Canada over the last ten years.