Travel Scams Target Seniors

“Congratulations! You’ve been selected to win a week-long vacation to the beautiful, sunny beaches of the Bahamas”. But before you give up your credit card number, beware! You may be the target of a travel scam. Mature adults ages 50 to 70 are frequent targets since they have more disposable income and often travel more than those in other age groups.

If you’ve received a “too-good-to be true” travel offer, keep these things in mind:

Be suspicious of companies that require you to wait at least 60 days before you take the trip that they are offering. Most credit card companies will only allow you to dispute charges 60 days from the date of the charge. If you file a claim after that, you may not be able to contest the charge if the vacation doesn’t turn out to be all that you were promised.

Don’t do business with a company that insists on using a courier service. Travel scam artists know that by using the U.S. mail, they could be charged and prosecuted for mail fraud.

You are entitled to a written contract including the total cost of the vacation and the cancellation/refund policy. Insist on one before giving out your credit card. Reputable travel companies will provide you with all of the trip details prior to requesting payment.

Beware of “vacation certificates”. There are many variations on this scam, but the worst one is the scenario where the scammer collects a processing fee but then is unable to confirm your requested destination and dates. Then one day, after many frustrating phone calls with no reservations confirmed, you call the “vacation company” and discover that the phones have been disconnected and all evidence that this travel company ever existed has vanished into thin air. Your vacation certificate isn’t worth the paper that it’s printed on, you are out the processing fee, and are not going on a vacation.

“You must act now”. “Limited time offer”. “This will be your only opportunity to take advantage of this amazing offer”. If the salesperson is using high-pressured tactics and demanding your credit card immediately, you are probably being swindled.

How can you avoid becoming a travel scam victim? Use a reputable travel company who can give you advice about how to save money without getting ripped off. Always purchase travel with a credit card. Federal law requires credit card companies to remove a charge from your credit card if the supplier fails to deliver the product or service that you purchase.

As cliché as the old saying may be: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.