Cheap fares, be they cheap airplane tickets, cheap vacation packages, or discount hotel rooms, are great, but they can quickly become a disappointment if you later find out that you are not getting what you were promised when you made your travel purchase.
The following are several common travel scams and what you can do to avoid being taken advantage of:
Entertainment and sports events attract scam artists who sell packages which do not include tickets to the event or tickets that are paid for with cash but never show up. Unbelievable deals are one of the best indicators that you will not be getting what you paid for. Also supposed travel planners that require sending cash (via a check or money order) upfront should be a major warning signal.
If a travel package includes admission tickets to an event ask exactly when you can expect to receive physical tickets. You should do everything possible to get the tickets prior to leaving for the event. Paying via credit card, instead of cash, is recommended because of the ability to receive refunds (so long as the purchase is made no more than 60 days prior to the requested refund) from most credit card companies for fraudulent purchases.
Counterfeit merchandise is another popular travel scam, particularly for people traveling to Asia. While travelers might be disappointed to discover that the Rolex they purchased is not genuine, the real danger these days is people purchasing knockoff pharmaceuticals. Fake pharmaceuticals have been found to be cut with everything from filler that is harmless, to motor oil, paint, and glue. Fake luxury brand beauty items, such as shampoo and perfumes have been found to contain harmful amounts of bacteria.
Hotel parking, whether by yourself, or via valets, is where valuables are often stolen. The best advice is not to leave anything in your car, or only leave that which can be stored in your trunk. Dont let anyone point to the back of a valet ticket that says damage or theft is not their responsibility. It is their problem and you should promptly file a police report and notify hotel management before you leave.
Airport scams abound, most frequently when travelers go through security checkpoints. There are thieves who position themselves in security lines that take your carry-on as you going through the metal detector. Your best protection is to not go through a metal detector prior to your bag going through. If you are asked to go through secondary screening, request that the security agent retrieve your bag from the belt so that it can stay with you. Before leaving a security checkpoint always confirm that you still have your valuables.
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