HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — As travel season kicks off, it’s important to be cautious of scams that can turn dream vacations into financial nightmares.
Our Ellie Byrd sat down with Karen Reeves, President and CEO of The Better Business Bureau, to warn travelers about the top five most common vacation scams:
- Vacation Rental Cons – Fake or misleading listings push urgency to secure payment before travelers can verify the property. Reeves said, “Scammers will list properties that don’t exist or are nothing like the photos, then pressure you to book quickly by claiming another traveler is interested.” She recommends you always speak to the property owner by phone, ask questions about the area, and use reputable sites that verify listings. You can also check addresses using Google Street View to see if they match the ad.
- “Free” Vacation Offers – Hidden fees, taxes, or transportation costs often apply. These offers are rarely truly free. Reeves said, “Exactly nothing is truly ever free in life.” She adds, They may advertise a free cruise or hotel stay, but once you sign up, you’re hit with extra costs—port fees, taxes, transportation, even tips. Always read the fine print, and consider working with a reputable travel agent to avoid surprises.”
- Third-Party Booking Site Scams – Fraudulent booking sites and impostor agents may steal personal information or request extra payments after booking. We’re seeing scams where fake booking sites or impersonators collect payment, then call asking for more money or personal info. Some even say your flight was canceled and try to charge you again. Always check the company out on BBB.org and be cautious of sites you’re not familiar with.
- Hotel Scams – Scammers impersonate hotel staff, create fake Wi-Fi networks, or distribute phony food delivery menus to steal credit card data.”Travelers might get a call in their room pretending to be at the front desk, asking to re-verify credit card details. Others fall for fake Wi-Fi networks or phony takeout menus. Don’t give your card info over the phone, and use secure, private networks when accessing sensitive accounts,” said Reeves.
- Timeshare Resale Scams – Fake brokers claim to have buyers and pressure owners into paying upfront fees with no results. If someone contacts you saying they have a buyer for your timeshare and asks for an upfront fee, that’s a red flag. These scammers vanish after they get paid. Always verify licenses and don’t pay upfront without proof.
Reeves wraps it all up by giving you this piece of advice: always trust your instincts! “If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Look for BBB Accredited Businesses, check reviews, and never wire money or use prepaid debit cards to book. Credit cards offer more protection if something goes wrong,” said Reeves.
General Safety Tips:
- Check reviews and photos.
- Be suspicious of “too good to be true” deals.
- Avoid wire transfers or prepaid cards.
- Use credit cards for purchase protection.
- Research businesses on BBB.org.
Travelers are encouraged to use BBB Accredited Businesses, verify listings and booking sites, and use credit cards (not wire transfers or prepaid cards) for protection. For more information or if you have a scam report, visit the BBB website here.
The post BBB of North Alabama explains the ‘Top 5 Vacation Scams’ to look out for as summer continues appeared first on WHNT.
