Be on the Lookout for Spring Break Scams

Over the next few weeks Wisconsinites will be hitting the road for spring break, which could be a trip to the beach with college friends or maybe even a trip to see family.

But for those who do not plan things out the right way, spring break memories could turn into spring break nightmares.

According to the Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin (BBB) scammers tend to target students and others looking for a great deal online for a low price during this time of year.

“Spring break is an annual rite for many Midwesterners looking to escape the cold and snow,” says Ran Hoth, CEO/president of the BBB Serving Wisconsin. “The possibility of scams begins when you start planning your trip and the BBB wants to remind you to make educated decisions when it comes to traveling.”

BBBs stress the need to do some research before signing up for any spring break trip.

Here are some additional BBB tips to ensure a worry-free vacation:

Plan ahead. Allow some time to research hotels, flights, and area where staying. Typically, the earlier the reservations are made, the better the deals that can be found and the lower the risk of a favorite destination being booked solid.

Be alert for travel scams. Watch out for phone calls or letters claiming that a trip has been won or websites offering prices that are too good to be true. It’s easy to extend questionable offers like these, but the vast majority of them leave hopeful travelers in limbo – and out money.

Do your homework. Ask family and friends to recommend a travel agent or travel website and visit bbb.org for free Business Reviews. If using services like Airbnb or VRBO to find accommodations, be sure to research the business and read customer reviews about any rentals under consideration.

Pay attention to website URL’s. If you’re logging into a site, always look for “https” in the URL. The “S” means that the connection is secure. Also, avoiding certain websites while using a public hotspot is advisable.

Beware of free Wi-Fi connections. Many hotels, airports, and other public spaces offer free Wi-Fi, but unfortunately more and more scammers are trying to steal personal information by creating unsecured networks that people can connect to for free. Protect your personal information from hijacking and identity theft.

Get the trip details in writing. Before making final payment, get all the details of the trip in writing. This should include the total cost, restrictions, cancellation penalties, and names of the airlines and hotels. Also review and keep a copy of the airline and hotel’s cancellation and refund policies, as well as the cancellation policies of the travel agency or vacation website that the traveler is using.

Consider travel insurance. Travel insurance is designed to cover such things as trip cancellations or medical emergencies. There are different levels of coverage based on what type of plan purchased. Ask a lot of questions, and always read the fine print to see what’s covered and what’s not.

Pay with a credit card. Paying with a credit card gives you additional protection if something should go wrong with the travel reservation. Remember that a request for you to send money by wire transfer or prepaid debit cards to someone you don’t know if often not legitimate and nearly impossible to reverse..

Be aware of the “Grandparent Scam” which is most common this time of year.

Take time to report scams. File a complaint with the BBB and report scams to the BBB’s Scam Tracker website.

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