Fraud can happen at home or abroad...

 Holiday getaways are becoming more popular, and it is important to remember that scams happen everywhere, even when you are on vacation. Here are five tips to keep you safe while traveling.
1. Offers of a "free vacation" -  These have been around for a long time. You get an offer for a free vacation, all you need to do is pay the "fees and taxes". That doesn't mean it is free, does it? Scams like this hook people because they hear the word 'free' and don't ask many questions, but hand over their credit card numbers, personal info, and other details without thinking.
2. Robocalls offering cheap getaways  -  Have you ever received a call that you won a contest you never entered? They offer you, as your prize, a cheap dream vacation. Robocalls trying to sell you something are illegal in the first place, so do you think their prizes are up to snuff? Probably not. Steer clear.

3. Fake Lodging Website - Before booking a vacation rental, hotel, flight, or travel deal online, take a few extra minutes to verify that the offer is legitimate. Scammers often create fake websites, copy real company logos, or post deals that look official in order to collect payments or personal information. Start by checking the website address carefully. Look for misspellings, extra words, unusual characters, or links that do not match the company’s official website. If you found the deal through an ad, email, text message, or social media post, consider going directly to the company’s website instead of clicking the link.

Next, review the payment method. Be cautious if someone asks you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or another method that may be difficult to dispute or recover. A legitimate travel company or rental platform should offer secure payment options and clear booking terms. Finally, verify the contact information. Look for a real phone number, business address, customer service details, and consistent information across the company’s official website and trusted review sources. If the contact information is missing, hard to find, or different from what appears elsewhere online, pause before booking.

When in doubt, slow down and verify before you pay. A few minutes of checking can help protect your money, your personal information, and your travel plans.
4. Bed and Breakfast Scam -This scam is harder to spot, but it can be very dangerous if you fall victim to it. Scammers will hijack (or just plain fabricate) an online listing for a vacation home for rent. The unsuspecting individual books it, pays for it, and shows up to find someone has already booked the same place with the actual owner, or the property does not even exist. Now you and your family are stuck on vacation with nowhere to stay. Always book from reputable sites, and if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
5. Taxi Scam  -  Picture it, you come out of the airport, and there is a line of cabs. But there is one with a sign on the side that says "anywhere for $20". You think, hey, great deal! Nope. More than likely, where you need to go will cost much less. Or you get in a cab, and the driver claims the meter isn't working, but pressures you to "trust him". These taxi scams happen everywhere, and most victims never realize they just got taken for a very expensive cab ride.
6. Open Wi-fi Hubs - This last scam can be one of the most dangerous ones if it happens to you. Scammers will set up unrestricted wi-fi hubs all around major cities, and tourists will connect to it, not realizing that this gives scammers access to their entire phones! Always use password-protected connections, and check with the owners or staff of your accommodations to verify you're on the current wifi!

The Bottom Line...

Traveling is supposed to be a positive experience, but falling victim to a scam can turn it into a negative one. Take sufficient precautions prior to heading on vacation so you can have a stress-free experience.