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From the Bureau: Tips on planning your next family vacation
Do your homework, take precautions
By Bobby Hansen, - Better Business Bureau
Mar. 3, 2024 5:00 am
U.S. consumers lost an average of $620 to scams in 2022, according to the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker.
Scammers often take advantage of consumer habits and capitalize on trending internet searches, enticing consumers with great deals on vacations or trips to popular destinations or all-inclusive packages.
These scams persist year-round but often increase in frequency during times of more travel, such as spring break and the holiday or summer season.
Travel-related fraud cost U.S. consumers $105.1 million in losses and accounted for 16 percent of all fraud reported in 2022 to the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network.
When planning an event or looking for a good deal, the Better Business Bureau encourages people to plan carefully to save money, avoid scams and travel safely.
Scammers often target people looking for deals online by offering tempting vacation packages at unrealistically low prices.
Travel tips
Here are tips to help ensure an enjoyable trip:
- Plan ahead. Allow time to research hotels, flights and objectives. Typically, the earlier reservations are made, the better the deals and the lower the risk of a destination being booked. Advance reservations lock in rates, preventing higher prices later during prime spring break, peak summer or holiday seasons.
- Avoid broad internet searches. Entering phrases like “best deals” into a search engine could bring up websites that look official but are designed solely to rip people off.
- Be alert for travel scams. Watch out for phone calls or letters claiming a “free trip” or websites offering prices that appear too good to be true. It’s easy to extend questionable offers, but many leave travelers in limbo — and out of money.
- Do your homework. Ask family and friends to recommend a travel agent or website and visit BBB.org for free business profiles. Research the business and read customer reviews.
- Get trip details in writing. Before making payment, get all details in writing. This should include the total cost, restrictions, cancellation policy and names of the airlines and hotels. Keep copies of the cancellation and refund policies and the booking site used.
- Consider travel insurance. Travel insurance covers things like trip cancellations or medical emergencies. There are different levels of coverage based the plan purchased. Read the fine print to see what’s covered and what’s not.
- Pay with a credit card. Paying with a credit card may provide additional protection if something should go wrong.
- Keep up with the news if you’re planning to travel internationally. Check on advisories for any issues that may impact the trip. Verify all necessary documentation is obtained.
Precautions
No matter when or where you are traveling, take extra precautions:
- Wait to post on social media. It's fun to post adventures but wait until you get back. Photos and social media posts let thieves know a house is empty.
- Check home insurance. If a home will be unattended for a long period while away, make sure to know all responsibilities under the policy.
- Share the trip itinerary with a family member or close friend. Include contact information of fellow travelers.
- Take a map. People rely heavily on phones and GPS. Consider having a hard copy map in case of technical difficulties.
- Check the weather where you will be traveling and pack appropriate supplies and clothing.
- Avoid traveling alone. Use the buddy system and stick with the group.
- Use a hotel safe to store extra cash and keep valuables locked.
Bobby Hansen is regional director for the Better Business Bureau Cedar Rapids office. Comments: (319) 365-1190; info@dm.bbb.org.
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