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Learn about these travel scams before you hit the road or take to the air: Internet Scambusters #1,124
Vacation travel is topmost in many people’s minds at this time of year – more than 80% of us will be on the move.
But virtually around every corner, there are scammers waiting to steal your money, either directly from your pocket or through identity theft.
But in this week’s issue, we’ll tell you about the top 10 travel scams and the simple steps you can take to block them.
Let's get started…
Watch Out For These Top 10 Travel Scams
You’re standing at the airport carousel with that sinking feeling when every traveler but you seem to have collected their luggage and left. Many of us know that feeling. Is your suitcase lost or has someone stolen it?
This type of personal drama happens every day. Two million suitcases are lost in transit in the US every year. And with the summer vacation season now in full swing, it’s just one of scores of travel hazards many of us worry about.
Maybe the airline will find that luggage and return it. But in some instances, it’s sitting in the home of an airport or airline employee and you’ll never see it again.
What a horrible way to start your vacation. But there are two important things you can do to reduce the anguish that follows: Don’t pack valuable stuff in your checked-in baggage and hide a tracking device, like an Apple Air-Tag, inside it.
For example, in a recently-reported Florida incident (in the Washington Post), a missing suitcase stuffed with $16,000 of tech equipment was traced by the owner via a tracking device to the home of an airport employee who had already sold some of the contents.
Sadly, this is just one of many scams and travel hazards vacationers face these days but, as with this example, there are lessons to be learned that can protect you.
How To Avoid These Travel Scams
With this in mind, here are some of the most common current travel scams and security risks, and the actions you can take to hopefully avoid them.
- Free or cut-price vacation offers. Despite their best efforts, travel sites may still offer phony free accommodation or flights. But they’re more likely to show up on social media ads, via spam emails, or through fake travel agents. Or they may be thinly disguised lures for timeshares (see below). Do your research. Only book rentals and hotels through legitimate sites, preferably those offering scam protection – and pay with your credit card.
- Fake QR Codes. Those quick response codes you scan with your phone, often found near popular tourist sites, can lead to trouble, as we reported in issue #542. See 5 Ways to Avoid a QR Code Scam for our tips.
- Out-and-about tricksters. These include overpriced taxi rides (so, use ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft or agree the fare before getting in); street performers and pickpockets (keep valuables secure and avoid physical contact); and dubious currency exchange (see Foreign Currency Rip-off at Airport ATMs). Also watch out for a new ATM scam where the cash dispenser has a sign saying it’s not working but a helpful bystander directs you to another machine, which will steal your card details.
- Bait-and-switch. You don’t get what you thought you’d paid for. Instead, that advertised deal, like a hotel or excursion, is suddenly unavailable and you have to pay more for an alternative. Confirm it in writing first.
- Overpriced or non-existent event tickets. Outdoor concerts and major sporting events (like the upcoming Paris Olympics) are a big attraction in summer and ticket prices already are likely high. Scalpers are everywhere. Only buy your tickets from legitimate, reputable sources.
- Fake tour guides. Often lurking near popular historic or famous locations, they may overcharge or simply disappear while you’re looking around. Book your tour through a reputable organization, like the travel company you’re with or an agency you’ve already researched.
- Luggage theft. Happens often at the airport while you’re distracted or in the trunk of what you thought was a taxi, which drives away once the driver loads your suitcases. Pay attention at all times and keep all your valuables and documents in a shoulder bag or other carry-able.
- International travel document scams. Usually via websites that charge high fees to secure a passport or visa, or maybe a supposed international driving permit. Get your passport and visa through government offices or via a reputable travel agency. And get driving permits through AAA.
- Timeshare scams. High-pressure salespeople pester you at the airport or your cheap hotel with a deal that involves sitting through a monotonous timeshare presentation you find difficult to escape. There’s a reason why timeshare owners find it difficult or impossible to offload their costly investment. See our issue #439 for timeshare scam tips: Watch Out for "Legal" Vacation Timeshare Scams.
- Risky Wi-Fi and charging ports. Almost everyone carries some sort of mobile device these days, usually cell phones, but public networks can leave you open to having your device hacked, while public charging ports could load malware onto your device. In public spots, use a virtual private network (VPN) to keep your communications private and avoid charging stations by carrying a power-pack. We covered these issues respectively here: Do You Need a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for Your Internet Safety? and Data Theft Fear for Mobile Charging Stations.
One final tip: Be wary of any vacation activity where you’re asked to provide photos of yourself or other confidential information. Make sure you know exactly who is requesting it and why.
You’ve worked hard for that vacation, so use caution wherever you travel and enjoy the break you deserve.
This Week’s Alerts
Powerball call: You didn’t win the Powerball draw because you didn’t buy a ticket. Fair enough. But what if you did buy one and you get a phone call saying you won? It’s a scam because, obviously, the lottery organizers don’t actually know who you are till you claim. But if you fall for this latest trick, most recently seen in Maryland, you’ll be walked down a long path of issues that call for you to keep paying to get your money. You didn’t win, okay?
Section 8 Vouchers: Scam ads are popping up on social media impersonating state housing services (most recently in Ohio and North Carolina) offering Section 8 housing vouchers for low-income rental support. They’re phishing tricks trying to steal personal information, get victims to pay for vouchers, or to get on a housing waiting list. Section 8 recipients or applicants should only deal with their state public housing agency (PHA). Find or confirm your local office.
That's it for today -- we hope you enjoy your week!