How To Avoid Travel Scams and Crimes

By Ron Smith
Seniorsadvocate.8m.com  

Travel scams are as common as morning dew, with seniors targeted more than any other demographic group. The Federal Trade Commission recently charged two dozen travel promoters with cheating its customers. The promoters' ads contained language such as "free trips," "free luxury hotels" and "free cruises," all of them fraudulent come-ons. The reality proved to be different.

So-called free trips weren't free ­ not when you added in assorted fees, taxes and other hidden charges; luxury hotels weren't available, so sub-par hotel rooms at inflated prices were provided, cockroaches included; and free cruises meant dumpy accommodations, rotten food and surly help.

Free is a word that could mean expensive when found in a travel ad.

Not to mention the more direct threat of dangerous criminals such as robbers, muggers, pickpockets and burglars who prey on traveling seniors and constitute an ever-present danger.

Seniors would be well advised to take the following precautions when planning trips and while traveling:

• Pitches for travel scams can arrive via mail, phone, text message, unsolicited e-mail, or fax. Be especially careful when the words "You have been selected to receive..." or "You have won..." are in the invitation. That's a tip-off to a possible travel scam.
• A high-pressure pitch from a travel agent or salesperson may indicate a scam. The higher the pressure, the more likely the scam. When pushed to make a decision, simply walk away or hang up the phone.
• Ask relatives and friends or the staff at your local senior center if they've had any experiences with the travel company soliciting your business. Go online to ripoffreport.com or bbb.com (Better Business Bureau) and type in the name of the travel promoter to find complaints registered against it. You can expose crooked deals online that might be difficult to find elsewhere because of the Internet's wide audience.
• Nail down the details of your travel plan in writing. Hidden costs such as cancellation charges, taxes, services and other fees may significantly increase the cost of your trip. Find out the promoter's refund policy (an emergency may force you to cancel), and any restrictions that apply (such as flying only during specific days).
• Do not pay for the trip by cash or debit card. Use a credit card and time it so the bill doesn't appear for a month. If the travel plans or vacation do not turn out as advertised, you have the right to dispute the charges with your credit card company. And never surrender your credit card number until you're ready to sign.
• If you're interested in a charter flight, you should not assume that the travel operator is legitimate before you sign on the dotted line. Check its registration with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Consumer Affairs in Washington by calling 202-366-2396. Charter packages cannot be sold until the DOT approves the filing. Ask if the operator filed a charter flight from the planned departure city to the planned location. If not, you're onto a probable scam.
• When traveling, bring travelers' checks. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• Don't flash your jewelry. Even better, leave flashy jewelry at home. Store other valuables in the hotel's safe. Thieves and muggers flock to tourist locations to rob tourists. Seniors are ready-made targets and are often helpless in defending themselves if robbed or mugged.
• Never open your hotel room door to strangers. If you're unsure who's knocking, call the front desk and ask Security to check it out for you. Lock your doors whenever you're in your hotel room. Use the room's security deadbolt that keeps intruders from entering even if they have a key.
• When you leave the room, keep the lights and TV on to fool potential thieves, and hang the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the outside doorknob.
• Keep a low profile both in your hotel and while traveling anywhere to avoid attracting predators.

Ron Smith is a retired senior who lives in the Atlanta area. His book Scambusters: More Than 60 Ways Seniors Get Swindled and How They Can Prevent It was recently published by HarperCollins. He can be reached through his website at seniorsadvocate.8m.com.