Planning summer travel? Maybe you need to make changes to upcoming plans.
And you’re looking online for a customer service number.
STOP!
The Better Business Bureau is seeing consumers lose hundreds, even thousands to fake travel websites showing up at the top of internet searches.
It happened to a Solana Beach woman who says she “Googled American Airlines customer service.”
Her BBB Scam Tracker complaint shows she got a number, called it and was connected to a supposed customer service rep.
The man wanted a $75 cancellation fee to rebook her.
She paid.
But when he hit her with a $99 refund fee, she realized it was all a scam.
The woman says the fake American Airlines number had one digit different from the real AA customer support number..
Another woman lost nearly $2,000 by getting a fake travel site after asking her phone to connect.
And when a San Diego man searched for Royal Caribbean customer service, he got a rep asking for $300 to make a change that should have been free.
The man later found his internet search connected him to a misspelled look-a-like site.
Always look to protect yourself
When trying to make changes to travel plans:
-avoid asking your phone to connect to a travel customer service number
-don’t blindly trust what shows up first in online travel support searches
-if you’re talking to a supposed travel rep, and they ask for payment that doesn’t make sense, hang up.
Better Business Bureau is also warning about other travel scams:
-When booking a rental property, watch out for listings that either aren’t for rent, don’t exist or are much different than pictured. Check reviews, try talking to the owner and only work with trusted vacation rental companies.
-BBB is also seeing issues with some 3rd party travel sites. They may ask you for bank account information or demand a fee for a canceled flight that was never canceled. Stick with known travel sites.
Don’t lose your vacation money:
-vet hotels, travel companies, vacation rentals and more by checking reviews and complaints on social media, online searches and going to bbb.org.
-be suspicious of very low cost or “free” travel
-avoid wiring money or using a debit card to pay for travel. Using a credit card offers much more protection in case there’s an issue later.
Read more about travel scams en: https://www.bbb.org/all/travel/travel-safety-tips/top-5-vacation-scams-to-avoid
See all our scam warnings at: joeknowsbetter.com and also see: https://bbb.org/local/1126/joe-knows-better
Check out BBB Scam Tracker and look for trusted accredited businesses when hiring at bbb.org
Crédito de la foto: Pixabay.com
