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Scam Alert:Travel/Vacation Scams
Every year, econsumer.gov receives hundreds of complaints from consumers who lost money though international vacation and travel scams.
Travel and vacation scams come in many forms.
Scammers may create fake websites that use names and logos of real hotels, with photos of rooms and condominiums, and even fake customer reviews.
The site might offer you a package at a surprisingly good rate, and pressure you to make a decision before the offer expires.
However, when you show up ready to enjoy your vacation, the property does not actually exist, or was not actually available, and your money is gone.
How can you avoid these traps?
Here are some signs that the vacation package you are considering might be a scam.
- You won a “free vacation” –but you have to pay some fees first
- The prize company wants your credit card number
- They cold-call, cold-text, or email you out of the blue
- They don’t –or can’t- give you specific details
- You’re pressured to sign up for a travel club for great deals on future vacations
If you believe you’ve responded to this kind of scam, you can file a complaint with:
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econsumer.gov is an initiative of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network.
