The Federal Trade Commission just issued a new alert ahead of the busy travel season.
There are times in which chance is on your side and things that seem " too good to be true " really number with no grab . Other time , instead , that ’s not really the vitrine — and the US government require traveler to be well equip to know the difference .
decent onward of the bounteous spring break travel time of year , the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) justreleased a warningto aid Americans stave off getting scammed withshiny phony dealsand shady locomotion - related transactions .
In the fresh alert , the FTC stresses the grandness of vet your reference when stumbling upon an incredibly tatty or " free " holiday mickle — especially right before the engaged travel season withspring intermission underwayandsummer vacationshappening soon .
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" When you ’re planning a tripper — whether it ’s a last - minute bounce break vacation or another trip — you might be tempt to jump on an offer for a great deal , " the FTC said in the alert . " unluckily , scammers sometimes hide behind those offers . Their end ? To seek to slip your money . "
How to avoid travel scams
According to the FTC , you should always try and vet the deal you ’re considering by doing some enquiry . There ’s no motivation to go full Sherlock Holmes on it ! A simple Google search combining the name of the travel company or broker with the words " con , " " review , " or " ailment " will answer , and they ’ll show you if other travelers antecedently had bad experience with them .
The FTC also recommends you do n’t ratify or pay until all specific details have been provide to you , include the exact address of the hotel or resort . That mode , you could personally look it up and assess whether it ’s a legitimate and exist location or not . Before you sign or devote , you should also always get copies of both the cancellation and return insurance . If those are n’t offered , it ’s very likely that you ’re about to incur into a scam .
Finally , any clock time someone asks you to pay with wire transfer , gift plug-in , or cryptocurrency , it ’s highly likely they ’re strain to short-change you . " corruptible locomotion package showman will ask you to give in one of these style , " reads the FTC word of advice . " But that ’s a sure sign of a scam . "
