The travel scam offers on the internet are still out there.
The lure of a free or deeply discounted trip is powerful and seductive.
It’s all part of a technique called fishing—an attempt to collect private information to sell to identity thieves.
The offer will almost always feature the name or recognizable logo of a well-known hotel chain, airline, or travel-related brand.
Every time you receive something in the mail or online that offers free travel, Google the address.
If the address doesn’t match the company’s official address, it’s a scam.
If any of these offers ask for a processing fee to claim your travel prize, they’re scams.
If you’re offered a free resort stay but must process your air travel through the contest office, that’s a definite scam.
If the word “prize” is mentioned or you’re told you’re a winner, there’s a more than 90 percent chance that if you respond, you’re a loser.
Never use a credit card to pay for anything until you can verify that the company featured in the offer is even aware of it.
For more information about travel scams, check out:
- Booking Online? Watch Out for These Airline & Hotel Travel Scams
- How to Avoid Peer-to-Peer Scams
- Ways Scammers are Now Targeting Grandparents
Keep reading for more travel tips.
