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BBB Tip of the Week: Summer travel tips

Veronica Craker

Have you already begun planning that summer getaway? While thoughts of sandy beaches and blue waters may be on the brain, unfortunately this is also the time when scammers are dreaming up ways to trick you out of your hard-earned money.

The Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker — launched in fall of 2015 — has recorded a few travel scams in Washington, with consumers reporting a loss of more nearly $4,000 so far this year.

Just this year a Western Washington resident reported losing more than $900 to an online travel company. The individual reported that after booking the trip they were unable to reach anyone with the company.

In Vancouver there were reports of someone receiving calls stating they had won a free cruise – if they paid $60 up front. The caller was pushy and loud, trying to pressure them to agreeing to the deal. Fortunately, the Vancouver resident was disconnected before they got tangled up in the scammer’s con.

If you have your sights set on planning a sweet getaway, BBB wants to prevent it from turning sour. Here are things to remember when planning your vacation.

  • · Be wary of fake travel websites. Sure the site appears to be professional, but even con artists can put together a good-looking website. You might have to do some digging to ensure it’s legitimate.
  • · Read the fine print. Life happens. And when you are planning a trip months or even years in advance, it’s best to know what your rights are when it comes to canceling a trip. Read the fine print on cancellation policies to ensure you won’t lose money if you have to postpone the trip. Also, be on the lookout for any hidden fees that might be tacked on at the end of your trip.
  • · Rental home scams. Watch for fake rental listings and vacation packages that sound too good to be true. Scammers can easily hijack legitimate online listings and make it look like their own. To avoid getting caught up in a scam its best to deal directly with the property owner or manager. You can also do research online to verify the property you are renting actually exists.

Keep your vacation fun by playing it safe this summer. Learn more about scams in your area by visiting www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us.