How To Avoid Online Travel Fraud

Making travel plans over the internet has become extremely popular, what with companies coming up with various travel sites that provide you with information about the best destinations to travel to. It makes life so easy for us – no need to roam around in the sun looking for a reputed travel agency  to book tickets. The problem, however, with booking over the internet, is the fear of becoming victim of a fraud. The anonymity and obscurity that the internet gives is an easy trap that unsuspecting clients fall for and are easily duped. The one thing that one must exercise with internet travel booking is caution, which most people forget to and thus end up getting duped. Here are some cautionary measures that you must exercise when dealing with online travel bookings.

 

Tips To Avoid Online Travel Scams 

Here’s what you can do to avoid online travel scams:

What’s In A Name? Trust… 

Remember to always deal with a reputed travel company every time you make plans to travel. Select a company that you know well. It is always best to go for a travel company that you or someone you know has had positive interaction with before. Before you proceed too far, note down the company’s full name the way it is registered, address, and phone number for any further reference.

 

Done With Homework? 

Since most fraud victims are those who are dealing with a company for the first time, first timers are always asked to be careful. If you are starting from scratch because you don’t have any prior experience with travel companies, do a bit of research. Contact the consumer forum that is located in the same city as the travel company. Additionally, you can contact the consumer forum in the place where you live. If you see a volley of complaints in the name of that company, you may have to select a different one to deal with.

 

Have Questions? That’s Better 

You must always request explanations and ask for specific details, especially where it matters most. If the travel agent uses words that sound more like equivocation, ask for the specific details. For example, ask exactly what words like “luxury” or “deluxe” means. One person’s concept of luxury may be quite different from another’s idea. It could anything from just a reasonably soft bed, clean sheets, and a full bathroom, or it can mean “serious luxury” like a king sized hot tub, king size bed with extra pillows, in house sauna, spa, and many more.

Major Credit Card Pays 

Always remember to pay for your purchase with a major credit card. They are better because major credit card companies often allow you to challenge charges offered to you. Once you arrive on destination, if it does not meet your expectations, you can always file a complaint with the travel agency and with your credit card company.

 

No Tactics, Please 

It is better never to purchase a trip through a company whose agents use high-pressure tactics. High-pressure tactics may mean that you have to sign now, because it won’t be available later, or you may be asked to sign now lest the price goes up, or that only one trip package remains and is available for purchase.

Too Good To Be True? Not True! 

No matter how good it may seem, do not ever believe in a trip package that seems too good to be true. If the whole trip costs less than the market cost, offers too many bonuses, or comes with other unrealistic features, then it simply isn’t a legitimate offer.