Spring Break is upon us! As many of us prepare to travel, don’t forget to pack your most important tool: your defenses against scammers. During peak vacation times, scammers are not on vacation at all. They’re hard at work taking advantage of travelers, scamming them out of their money and ruining their travel plans.
If you’re traveling soon or planning a trip, review these tips:
Don’t Fall for “Free”
We all love free stuff, but when it comes to traveling, be wary of anyone offering you free services or amenities, especially if they are high-end or seem too good to be true. Some scammers will call or message you outright, saying you have won a “free” vacation. The catch? You have to pay taxes or fees to claim said free vacation, which can add up to hundreds of dollars.
International Passports & Permits
Traveling abroad is more complicated than domestic travel, which scammers like to take advantage of. For instance, you might see sites that claim to help you get an international travel visa or passport. These sites are imitations of the U.S. Department of State website and will charge you high fees.
Another example of this is with websites that claim to sell international driving permits (IDPs). If you buy a fake IDP, you’ll be paying for a worthless document and could even end up facing legal troubles or travel delays if caught with it. Only the U.S. Department of State, the American Automobile Association (AAA), and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are authorized to issue IDPs.
Vacation Planning
Robocalls about vacations are common. Remember: robocalls from companies trying to sell you something are technically illegal unless the companies got written permission directly from you. If a caller is already breaking the law by calling you then wants to help plan your vacation, it’s definitely a scam.
Another way scammers try to make your travels “easier” is by offering the chance to fly to your destination on a private plane. Who wouldn’t want to fly privately? Especially if they’re suggesting a low price and all the amenities. We know how convincing these scammers can be but here’s a tip: The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Special Authorities Division keeps a list of approved public charter flights.
Here are a few final tips to keep in mind when planning your vacation:
- Never pay for your vacation rental by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. This is how scammers ask you to pay because once they have the money, it’s nearly impossible to retrieve.
- Don’t feel pressured. If someone is selling you something for your vacation but making you feel as if it is extremely urgent, move on and find another option. Scammers use this tactic to get money from you as soon as possible.
- Do your research. Look up travel agencies, vacation rentals, hotels, and other companies with the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” See what others say before you commit.
Vacations should be relaxing, not another thing to stress about. Keep all of these tips in mind as you plan your next vacation! If you have questions, you can always reach out to us here at Guthrie County State Bank.