(KOAM) — The holidays are fast approaching and the Office of Business Improvement shares some tips for traveling safely.
“BBB often receives reports of scams targeting travelers while they are traveling,” said Michelle L. Corey, president and CEO of BBB St. Louis. “Careful planning and knowing the signs of common travel scams can help you avoid any unpleasant surprises.”
BBB’s tips for a safe, stress-free vacation:
Plan a successful flight or road trip:
- If you're traveling, book early and compare prices. Book several weeks in advance to get the best price and use flight comparison websites to compare airline prices.
- Read the cancellation policies carefully. Many airline tickets are non-refundable and some may not provide a full refund if your flight is canceled. Every online travel agency, airline and broker is different. Also check the accommodation's cancellation policies before booking.
- Understand airline fees. Additional fees for baggage, seat selection and other services can add up quickly! Read the fine print to avoid hidden fees.
- Consider travel insurance. Insurance can protect you against cancellations, delays and other unforeseen problems. Research trusted companies with BBB and fully understand what the policy does and does not cover.
- Know the signs of a cancellation scam. In this scam, you receive an email or SMS informing you that your next flight has been canceled and you need to rebook at the number provided. If you call the number, the “airline” will offer to book a new ticket for an additional fee – stealing your money or credit card information.
- Avoid TSA PreCheck scams. BBB has received reports of scammers posing as TSA PreCheck and asking travelers to pay a fee to sign up for or renew the service. Remember, if you're applying for TSA PreCheck for the first time, you don't have to pay an application fee online: you'll pay it in person at a TSA registration center!
Have a safe and pleasant hotel stay:
- Know how to spot a fake call at reception. Scammers may call your room and impersonate the front desk, saying there's a problem with your credit card and you need to double-check the payment information. Hang up and visit the front desk in person to inform staff of the call.
- Use Wi-Fi safely. Free Wi-Fi is not always secure. Fraudsters can “hover” Wi-Fi connections and monitor all your activities, including websites visited and credit cards entered. Before joining a network, make sure it is secure and hosted through the hotel. Another good alternative is to use your cell phone as a hotspot and ignore Wi-Fi altogether.
- Check delivery menus. Scammers sometimes leave fake delivery menus in hotel rooms. When you call to order, they collect your credit card information, but never deliver the food. Discover the restaurants on BBB.org before ordering.
- Use a hotel safe. Keep any extra money or valuables locked away.
- Get a receipt. When you check out, make sure you receive a statement of all charges incurred during your stay. Pay with the same credit card you had on file at the start of your stay to make it easier to dispute any unauthorized charges.
Protect your personal information:
- Don't overshare on social media. Although it's tempting to post about your big trip, strangers might be able to see that you're far from home. Consider setting your social media accounts to private or saving the post after the trip.
- Protect your devices. Set up the “Find My Phone” feature so you can track your device if it’s lost or stolen.
- Check what scams are most common in your destination. You can see current scam trends on BBB Scam Tracker.
For more travel safety tips, click here.
COPYRIGHT 2024 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
