Most people don't get too excited when they answer a random phone call telling them about a free trip they won, especially if they haven't signed up for anything to have the possibility of winning. While this may be an easy way to identify a travel scam, it's not always as straight forward as a sketchy phone call.
In Larriesha Davis' case, she connected with a travel agent through Facebook on what seemed to be a legitimate business page. Unfortunately, it took her until after she already sent her payment in before realizing she had been scammed.
Other times, people come across amazing travel promotions online that have an urgent deadline to book and get caught up in the too good to be true deals before checking the source to make sure it's a real company. Unreal deals and last minute deadlines are two signs to take caution of before handing over your credit card.
With vacation scams on the rise, it's important to take the necessary steps in avoiding a travel scam happening to you and identifying fake travel agencies if you come across them. The safest way to book a vacation is through a trusted travel agency.
The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) provides consumers a great resource when beginning their search for a travel agent: TravelSense.org. Here people will find a list of travel agents and agencies that are part of ASTA.
Before contacting your travel agency of choice, consider checking out the reviews. Most agencies will have a website, Facebook page or some sort of online platform with reviews available to read through. If you can't seem to find much online presence, it may not be the right one to work with.
Another way to know you're working with a trusted travel agency is by using a referral. If you have friends or family members who travel often, ask them where they are booking their vacations through. They will be more than happy to pass along their travel agent contact.
Even if you aren't familiar, there are probably a handful of local travel agencies in your area. Consider shopping local for your next vacation. Whether it's a storefront agency or a home-based agent, there are most likely a few reputable agencies available to meet with in person nearby.
Overall, trust your instincts-if you don't feel comfortable booking through the online website you're on or if you're receiving vague information from the current travel agent you're working with, it may not be the best place for you to book your vacation.
Keep these things in mind when you're ready to plan your next trip so you can enjoy a safe, scam-free vacation booking experience.
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