Travel Scams

Fraud can happen at home or abroad...

Holiday getaways are becoming more popular, and it is important to remember that scams happen everywhere, even when you are on vacation. Here are five tips to keep you safe while traveling.

1. Offers of a "free vacation" - These have been around for a long time. You get an offer for a free vacation, all you need to do is pay the "fees and taxes". That doesn't mean it is free, does it? Scams like this hook people because they hear the word 'free' and don't ask many questions, but hand over their credit card numbers, personal info, and other details without thinking.

2. Robocalls offering cheap getaways - Have you ever received a call that you won a contest you never entered? They offer you as your prize a cheap dream vacation. Robocalls trying to sell you something are illegal in the first place, so do you think their prizes are up to snuff? Probably not. Steer clear.

3. Bed and Breakfast Scam - This scam is harder to spot, but can be very dangerous if you fall victim to it. Scammers will hijack (or just plain fabricate) an online listing for a vacation home for rent. The unsuspecting individual books it, pays for it, and shows up to find someone has already booked the same place with the actual owner, or the property does not even exist. Now you and your family are stuck on vacation with nowhere to stay. Always book from reputable sites, and if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

4. Taxi Scam - Picture it, you come out of the airport and there is a line of cabs. But there is one with a sign on the side that says "anywhere for $20". You think, hey, great deal! Nope. More than likely where you need to go will cost much less. Or you get in a cab, and the driver claims the meter isn't working, but pressures you to "trust him". These taxi scams happen everywhere, and most victims never realize they just got taken for a very expensive cab ride.

5. Open Wi-fi Hubs - This last scam can be one of the most dangerous ones if it happens to you. Scammers will set up unrestricted wi-fi hubs all around major cities, and tourists will connect to it, not realizing that this gives scammers access to their entire phone! Always use password protected connections, and check with the owners or staff of your accommodations to verify you're on the current wifi!