Elderly Travel Scams

When looking into travel arrangements it is understood that all or most travel services have to be paid for before in advance. Through the years this has created opportunities for scammy companies to creep in. Some travel packages turn out to be completely different from what was sold, include marketing riders or added taxes while abroad. Most of these companies take advantage of elderly or non techy people to scam because they have less abilities to go online and Google any offers or companies they receive instantly.

When you receive an offer for a free or ridiculously low-priced vacation to a popular destination keep this in mind:

• If the price seem too good to be true, it probably is. You’re not going to Europe, Hawaii or Australia for twenty dollars and a smile.

• If you’re called about a prize you have received due to a purchase, why are you being asked to provide a credit card number over the phone for confirmation?

• Are you being pressured to make an immediate decision over airfare, port fees or “upgrades”? Upgrades are an easy way of acquiring credit card information for other purposes or to pay for add ons you never wanted.

• Are the names for airfare and hotel provider identified as” major airline or hotel in the area” or does the representative offer choices, if choices are available are additional charges involved?

Always keep in mind that unsolicited calls & emails should not be blindly followed or responded regardless the offer. Most emails will include company logos but be from a gmail account. Use known or reccomended sites for travel and check their reviews

• Scammers no longer care about the chargeback terms of your credit card, they put the cards to work immediately thru bank transfers, illegal charges and even darkweb shopping; all performed in an instance

• If the destination is a beach resort, ask the seller how far the hotel is from the beach. Then ask the hotel.

• Determine the complete cost of the trip in dollars, including all service charges, taxes, processing fees, etc.

• If you decide to buy the trip after checking it out, paying by credit card gives you certain legal rights to pursue a chargeback (credit) if promised services aren’t delivered.

If you are told that you’ve won a free vacation, ask about taxes, additional traveler charges or timeshare obligations that may be attached. Some folks are fine with adding time to a timeshare vacation and sitting thru any presentations that come their way. Other families only have a three day weekend to enjoy and won’t give up a minute much less 90minutes. Whichever you are, make sure to know in advance what you’re getting into.