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Hello…you have been specially selected to receive our SPECTACULAR LUXURY DREAM VACATION offer!
Have you ever been tempted to check in to win a “free” visit a good , fair or restaurant? If so, you’ll get a call , letter, unsolicited fax, email or postcard telling you that you’ve got won a vacation. take care . it’s going to be a “trip trap.” the holiday that you’ve got “won” likely isn’t free. and therefore the “bargain-priced” travel package you’re offered over the phonephone or Internet might not suit your idea of luxury.
While some travel opportunities sold over the phone or offered through the mail, Internet or by fax are legitimate, many are scams that defraud consumers out of many dollars monthly .
The word “offer” are often a clue to hidden charges. once you get the call , or place the decision in response to a postcard, letter, fax or Internet ad, you furthermore may get a sales talk for a supposedly luxurious trip – one that you simply could pay dearly for.
The salesperson may invite your mastercard number to bill your account for the travel package. Once you pay, you receive the small print of the “package,” which usually include instructions for creating trip reservation requests. Your request often must be amid yet one more fee. additionally , many offers require you to pay upgrade costs to receive the particular destinations, accommodations, cruises or dates you were promised. Some offers may require you to pay more for port charges, hotel taxes or service fees.
See a pattern developing? New charges are being added every step of the way. you’ll never get your “bargain” trip because your reservations might not be confirmed or because you want to suits hard-to-meet hidden or expensive “conditions.”
Telemarketing travel scams usually originate out of “boiler rooms.” Skilled salespeople, often with years of experience selling dubious products and services over the phone, pitch travel packages which will sound legitimate, but often aren’t . These pitches usually include:
Oral Misrepresentations. Particular schemes vary, but all fraudulent telemarketers promise you a “deal” they can not possibly deliver. Unfortunately, you will not realize it until your money’s gone.
High Pressure/Time Pressure Tactics. Scam operators often say they have your commitment to shop for immediately or that the offer won’t be available for much longer . They typically ignore questions or concerns with vague answers or assurances.
“Affordable” Offers. Unlike fraudulent telemarketers who attempt to persuade people to spend thousands of dollars on an investment scheme, fraudulent travel telemarketers usually pitch club membership or vacation offers during a lower cost range. The offers sound reasonable and are designed to appeal to anyone who is trying to find a getaway.
Contradictory Follow-up Material. Some companies may comply with send you written confirmation of your deal. However, it always bears little resemblance to the provide you with accepted over the phone. The written materials often disclose additional terms, conditions and costs.
How To Protect Yourself
Unpleasant surprises can ruin a vacation, especially once they cost money. That’s why it pays to research a travel package before you purchase . But it are often difficult to inform a legitimate sales talk from a fraudulent one. Consider these travelers’ advisories:
Be wary of “great deals” and low-priced offers. Few legitimate businesses can afford to offer away products and services of real value or substantially undercut other companies’ prices.
Don’t be pressured into buying. an honest offer today usually are going to be an honest offer tomorrow. Legitimate businesses don’t expect you to form snap decisions.
Ask detailed questions. determine exactly what the worth covers and what it doesn’t. Ask about additional charges. Get the names of the hotel, airports, airlines and restaurants included in your package. Consider contacting these businesses on to verify arrangements. Ask about cancellation policies and refunds. If the salesperson can’t offer you detailed answers, hang up.
If you opt to shop for , determine the name of the travel provider – the corporate that’s getting your reservations and tickets. This company usually isn’t the telemarketer.
Get all information in writing before you comply with buy. Once you receive the written information, confirm it reflects what you were told over the phone and therefore the terms you agreed to.
Don’t buy a part of the package – the air fare or hotel stay – separately from the remainder . If the deal isn’t what you expected, it’s going to be difficult to urge your a refund for the a part of the package you bought .
Don’t give your mastercard number or bank information over the phone unless you recognize the corporate . One easy way for a scam operator to shut a deal is to urge your mastercard number and charge your account. Sometimes fraudulent telemarketers say they have the amount for verification purposes only. do not believe them.
Don’t send money by messenger or overnight mail. Some scam artists may ask you to send them a check or postal order immediately. Others may offer to send a messenger to select up your payment. If you pay with cash or a check, instead of a mastercard , you lose your right to dispute fraudulent charges under the Fair Credit Billing Act. If you charged your trip to a mastercard , you’ll dispute the fees by writing to your mastercard issuer at the address provided for billing disputes. If possible, do that as soon as you receive your statement. In any case, the law gives you up to 60 days after the bill’s statement date to dispute the charge.
Check out the corporate before you purchase . Contact the Attorney General in your state or where the corporate is found to ascertain if any complaints are lodged against the travel firm or the travel provider. remember that fraudulent businesses often change their names to avoid detection.
If unsure , say “no.” Trust your instincts. It’s less risky to show down the offer and hang up the phone.
Where to Complain
Several organizations can provide additional information and assist you with complaints.
Your state’s attorney General or the Attorney General within the state where the corporate is found probably features a division that deals with consumer protection issues.
The American Society of Travel Agents, Consumer Affairs, at 1101 King Street, Alexandria,VA 22314, could also be ready to mediate your dispute with an ASTA member.
The FTC works for the buyer to stop fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices within the marketplace and to supply information to assist consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to urge free information on consumer issues call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, fraud , and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to many civil and legal code enforcement agencies within the U.S. and abroad.
