How to Not to Get Scammed When Booking Your Next Trip
Vacations and holidays are meant to be taken advantage of, but there are always risks in doing so. Booking travel online can lead you down the path toward regret if it’s not done properly and safely! Make sure that when making reservations for your next adventure.
Whether they’re made on vacation sites like Expedia or JetBlue, you account carefully before finalizing anything because, after all this time investing into planning an amazing trip, you don’t want any part missing any fun.
Holidays and vacations are always more fun when you don’t have to worry about getting them organized.
But as much as we love booking our travel online, there’s one thing that can go wrong- your reservation being canceled before it even goes through!
So take some precautions and never assume anything these days because nothing has changed in this world yet…
I’m sure everyone has done something silly like book an amazing deal on the internet only later to find out there were unauthorized or charged extra fees after making their purchase.
But as your ideas of a spring break or summer vacation take shape, remember to be cautious when making reservations online.
It’s happened to all of us. You’re scrolling through your Facebook feed and you see an unbelievable deal on a flight or hotel. So you book it, but then when you go to check in, you realize your reservation was canceled and your money is gone.
Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common with online travel scams. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to spot a scam before you book your next trip. Stay safe and enjoy your vacation!
Exercise Caution Booking Travel
Travel booking is an exciting process, but it can also be risky if you aren’t careful. Before committing to a flight or hotel room for your upcoming trip, there are some things that will help make sure the experience goes smoothly and safely.
There are many different types of scams out there, but one thing that has never changed is the criminals’ tendency to try and take advantage by using your ignorance against you.
They know how easy it can be for someone who’s just looking around on websites they haven’t researched before making an expensive purchase without thinking too hard about what he or she might need in order actually use this “new website.”
The number one tip for avoiding practicing scams on fake websites designed exactly like those legitimate ones is to make sure you know what you’re doing and research the company before purchasing anything. They might charge fees after payment is processed through a bank account instead but there are other warning signs that can help uncover these schemes so don’t just assume everything’s fine!
The number of phony travel booking websites continues to grow because they’re so successful at scamming customers.
With that said, before you hit the “book now” button, it’s important to be aware of the many travel scams out there.
By knowing what to look for, you can avoid being scammed and have a worry-free trip. So read on for tips on how to spot a scam of fraudulent travel websites before booking your next trip.
Fake Travel Reservation Websites
The Hotel is an essential part of many people’s lives. From booking flights, cars, and even jobs online – it seems that no one can live without their room at some point! But what about hotels?
Do you know how many reservations are made on third-party sites every year or which ones might be scams?
More than 15 million falsified booking claims happen annually as result according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
Hoteliers are warning consumers to beware of websites that appear as though they’re booking directly with the hotel.
These rogue sites trick people into thinking you’ve reserved your room and may steal money or sensitive data like credit card numbers in order for them to deliver an overnight stay. Instead, all bets could be off when it comes time to check in or out!
The travel industry across the globe is warning customers to beware of these counterfeit websites that trick people into thinking they’re booking directly with their hotel. The reality is, when you book online there’s no telling what sort of security measures will be in place.
Cybercriminals take advantage by setting up fake reservation sites where victims’ money and personal information can easily get lost forever!
You should always choose trusted sources for finding accommodations near any location because if things go wrong, then support services such as changing passwords or credit card numbers immediately become available (and free) within 24 hours during business days whereas weekends.
These third-party sites trick travelers into thinking they’re reserving legitimate travel. Rather, they are enrolled in fake site schemes where money and credit card information gets stolen along with dream vacations abroad or at home under false pretenses like “secure” room deals for one night only.
When you make a reservation through one of these phony site owners (and give them all your personal info), it can lead not only toward fraud, but also missed opportunities for better rates elsewhere!
With cybercriminals hacking more than $1 billion in fake hotel reservations, consumers need to beware when booking hotel rooms and other travel reservations online such as airline flights, trains, rental cars, and other transport.
How to Avoid Online Travel Reservation Scams
- Use the official website of the hotel, airline, or rental car agency directly to book your reservations. It should have “HTTPS” in the URL. If you’re not sure you’re on a real site, call the company to verify. Or try Norton Safe Web to find out if a website is safe, for free.
- Use a credit card instead of a debit card to book online. If the website is phony, you won’t have given the cybercriminals direct access to your bank account. Many credit card companies offer fraud protection. Call your credit card company first to inquire if they have complaints about the booking site you’re considering.
- If you decide to use a third-party site, choose a well-known and reputable brand.
- Get recommendations for trusted travel companies or sites from your network of friends and family. If you’re ever uncertain about if a company is legitimate, check with the Better Business Bureau.
- After you make an online reservation, always call the company afterward to confirm. If there is no record of your reservation, it’s better to know sooner rather than later. You’ll be able to alert your credit card company, report the fraud, and still have time to book reservations with the real deal.
Some people may see unbelievable deals on flights or hotels while scrolling through Facebook, social media, or the internet but many of these deals are actually scams.
To avoid being scammed and harmed by fake travel websites that exist just to take your money away from you, look out for the signs before booking a trip.
If the price seems too good to be true or sounds too perfect such as a conveniently scheduled return flight with all baggage included is a great sign of a scam.
Some people think they’re going to get a great deal on their vacation by scrolling through Facebook, but in reality, these deals are usually scams.
To avoid being scammed and giving out your hard-earned cash or credit card information, go ahead and take some time researching where you want to stay as well as what kind of flights suit best with the date range that works for both your schedule AND budget!
If you are still skeptical about the site, you could always just get a Costco membership and book travel at an excellent discount.
Conclusion
The best way to avoid being scammed is by knowing what signs indicate that a travel booking website may be fake.
These include high prices for destinations you can’t access, difficulty reaching customer service reps, or getting quotes on price-gouging holidays with limited availability at designated times throughout the year.
These are all indications of legitimacy-challenged businesses who want your money but don’t care how they get it so long as there are no questions asked.
Learn the warning signs that a travel website may be fake before you hand over your hard-earned money. By being vigilant and knowing what to look for, not only can avoid getting scammed but also ensure an affordable rate on the vacation of dreams with these helpful tips!
Have you ever been scammed by a travel booking website? Let us know in the comments. Be sure to follow us on social media!