BBB Warns Vacationers: Travel-Related Fraud is on the Rise
Raleigh, NC, May 19, 2007 --(PR.com)-- With Memorial Day approaching and summer not far behind, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is advising consumers on how to spot and avoid the threat of vacation and travel-related fraud.
Vacation scams cost consumers over $10 billion each year. Out of the 3,900 industries the BBB monitors, the travel industry consistently ranks in the top 25 for number of complaints.
“The BBB System continues to see vacation and travel-related fraud cases in every one of our 128 BBBs across the United States and Canada,” said Beverly Baskin, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina. “Before booking travel plans, consumers need to do their research and check with the BBB for trustworthy advice on dependable businesses to keep from getting burned this summer.”
Signs of a Scam
Unscrupulous marketers make their pitch via unsolicited telephone calls, e-mails and direct mailings, and some also use Internet pop-up advertisements.
Bait-and-switch tactics account for many of the travel-related complaints filed with the BBB. Promotions advertise rock-bottom prices, but hide fees until contracts are signed or initial payments are made. Some firms promise luxurious accommodations and services, but deliver far less.
Still others don't reveal that deals include hidden restrictions such as blackout dates at resorts and fees on certain travel dates, or a requirement to sit through a timeshare pitch at the destination. Some pitches go so far as saying consumers have won a “free” trip and must call a number to claim prizes, while others will offer “free” travel club memberships, allegedly worth thousand of dollars, but ultimately worth nothing.
“The BBB evaluates businesses using our time-tested set of standards,” said Baskin. “There are many reputable travel agents, bureaus and clubs to choose from, and we want consumers to know they can start their search for these reliable companies with the BBB.”
Protect Yourself
Gather Information. Don’t be fooled by professional looking Web sites or e-mails. Few legitimate businesses can afford to give away products and services of real value or substantially undercut other companies’ prices. Visit the BBB Web site, www.bbb.org, or call the BBB for a free reliability report on the travel company making the offer.
Ask detailed questions and get it in writing. Get names of airlines, hotels, car rental companies and travel providers. Consider contacting these businesses directly to verify arrangements. Always ask for confirmation of your travel arrangements in writing and ensure you receive copies of cancellation and refund policies.
Pay with a credit card and avoid deals that require you to book 60 days in advance. Credit card companies may allow consumers to dispute a charge within 60 days of purchase. Representatives from eBay also caution consumers against paying with personal checks and strongly recommend paying with a method such as PayPal that has built-in protection measures.
Contact the BBB if you are a victim of fraud. The BBB helps consumers and businesses through complaint and dispute resolution services. Victims of travel-related scams can visit www.bbb.org or call the BBB to file a complaint. Ultimately, consumer complaints expose bad businesses and help other consumers avoid becoming victims of vacation and travel-related fraud.
For more tips on avoiding vacation fraud visit www.bbb.org.
About the BBB of Eastern North Carolina:
The Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina is a 501 (c)(6) not-for-profit corporation serving 33 counties in Eastern North Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by membership dues from more than 3,000 local business and professional firms. The BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by the BBB include, reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, dispute resolution services, and consumer/business education programs. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit www.bbbenc.org.
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Vacation scams cost consumers over $10 billion each year. Out of the 3,900 industries the BBB monitors, the travel industry consistently ranks in the top 25 for number of complaints.
“The BBB System continues to see vacation and travel-related fraud cases in every one of our 128 BBBs across the United States and Canada,” said Beverly Baskin, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina. “Before booking travel plans, consumers need to do their research and check with the BBB for trustworthy advice on dependable businesses to keep from getting burned this summer.”
Signs of a Scam
Unscrupulous marketers make their pitch via unsolicited telephone calls, e-mails and direct mailings, and some also use Internet pop-up advertisements.
Bait-and-switch tactics account for many of the travel-related complaints filed with the BBB. Promotions advertise rock-bottom prices, but hide fees until contracts are signed or initial payments are made. Some firms promise luxurious accommodations and services, but deliver far less.
Still others don't reveal that deals include hidden restrictions such as blackout dates at resorts and fees on certain travel dates, or a requirement to sit through a timeshare pitch at the destination. Some pitches go so far as saying consumers have won a “free” trip and must call a number to claim prizes, while others will offer “free” travel club memberships, allegedly worth thousand of dollars, but ultimately worth nothing.
“The BBB evaluates businesses using our time-tested set of standards,” said Baskin. “There are many reputable travel agents, bureaus and clubs to choose from, and we want consumers to know they can start their search for these reliable companies with the BBB.”
Protect Yourself
Gather Information. Don’t be fooled by professional looking Web sites or e-mails. Few legitimate businesses can afford to give away products and services of real value or substantially undercut other companies’ prices. Visit the BBB Web site, www.bbb.org, or call the BBB for a free reliability report on the travel company making the offer.
Ask detailed questions and get it in writing. Get names of airlines, hotels, car rental companies and travel providers. Consider contacting these businesses directly to verify arrangements. Always ask for confirmation of your travel arrangements in writing and ensure you receive copies of cancellation and refund policies.
Pay with a credit card and avoid deals that require you to book 60 days in advance. Credit card companies may allow consumers to dispute a charge within 60 days of purchase. Representatives from eBay also caution consumers against paying with personal checks and strongly recommend paying with a method such as PayPal that has built-in protection measures.
Contact the BBB if you are a victim of fraud. The BBB helps consumers and businesses through complaint and dispute resolution services. Victims of travel-related scams can visit www.bbb.org or call the BBB to file a complaint. Ultimately, consumer complaints expose bad businesses and help other consumers avoid becoming victims of vacation and travel-related fraud.
For more tips on avoiding vacation fraud visit www.bbb.org.
About the BBB of Eastern North Carolina:
The Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina is a 501 (c)(6) not-for-profit corporation serving 33 counties in Eastern North Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by membership dues from more than 3,000 local business and professional firms. The BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by the BBB include, reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, dispute resolution services, and consumer/business education programs. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit www.bbbenc.org.
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Contact
Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina
Cindy Stranad
919-232-5008
www.bbbenc.org
Cindy Stranad
919-232-5008
www.bbbenc.org
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