As you make your summer travel plans this year, or perhaps you\u2019ve already hit the road or you\u2019re on your way to the airport, one thing to keep in mind \u2013 without putting too much of a damper on your trip \u2013 is to stay financially vigilant when finalizing your vacation plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The travel and events sector is especially susceptible for fraud and scams as people are looking for deals in locations that might be unfamiliar, with bad actors savvier than ever when it comes to separating travelers from their money. Once travelers figure out their plans, they\u2019re ready to hand over the funds to make their dream vacations happen \u2013 and scammers are more than happy to take it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Victoria Ruiz, Chase Community Manager in Fort Worth, offers these tips to help you avoid the latest and most common travel scams so you can relax and enjoy your trip.<\/p>\n
Vacation rental scams<\/p>\n
So you\u2019ve found a great house on a vacation rental website and email the property through the website. You might have received a call back from the \u201cowner,\u201d who asked you to send your deposit through Zelle or another peer-to-peer app. The \u201cowner\u201d will often pressure you into sending a deposit to hold the property, saying there\u2019s a lot of demand for the location, and may ask to move the conversation from the official website to a private messaging app<\/p>\n
As your trip gets closer, you might reach out to confirm the details or assume all is well and travel to the property at the start of your trip. That\u2019s when you discover the location is already booked, not available to rent or doesn\u2019t exist at all.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The listing you saw could have been fake, or a fake phone number was posted to a real listing, and the true owner has no idea about your reservation. Either way, you\u2019re stuck without lodging and your payment, with little chance of getting your money back.<\/p>\n
Most major property rental sites offer fraud guarantees, but only if you pay and communicate with the owners through the site.\u00a0To avoid lodging scams, try to see properties in person if possible, read reviews from other travelers, and pay through the official platform.. Sending deposits through wire transfers or P2P apps is like sending cash — once you send it you may not be able to get it back.<\/p>\n
\u201cFree\u201d trips<\/p>\n
Unless you\u2019ve won a legitimate contest or sweepstakes \u2013 and even those should be examined \u2013 there\u2019s no such thing as a free vacation. If you get a call, text, email or other notification that you\u2019ve won a free vacation, it may be a scam, especially if you don\u2019t remember entering a contest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watch out for automated calls or texts offering free vacations or \u201cvacation deals.\u201d There may not be a vacation package available at all, or you\u2019ll be asked to pay processing fees, taxes and other costs to claim your \u201cfree\u201d trip, which might include substandard accommodations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you did enter a contest and are told you\u2019re the winner, you won\u2019t be asked to send money to claim your prize. The Federal Trade Commission<\/a> is a good resource for information on recognizing legitimate versus fraudulent contests.<\/p>\n Flight scams<\/p>\n If you hear about a charter flight or other private flight deal to a destination, sometimes including a tour or hotel stay, be extra careful. Too many would-be travelers find out after paying their money that the flight, and sometimes the entire trip, is nonexistent.\u00a0<\/p>\n