Online Travel Scams

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Determine what is included in the offer. Is air travel included? What kind of hotel are you getting? What are the terms of your stay at the hotel? Is food included? Have you ever heard of the hotel? Is it a chain?
If you have not heard of the hotel or the airline, then do an independent investigation. Do not rely on any references given to you by the travel agent. Chances are that the references are in on the scam as well.
Independently price the components of the package that you are being offered. A company offering a cheap package for some components may be making up the price difference on another company such as travel. You don't have to take all components.
Hidden charges that are contained in the fine print can ruin any discount that you thought you were getting. The packages may fail to cover taxes, transportation from and to the hotel, or meals.
When do you have to take the trip? Is there is a time limit before which you must travel to get the discount. Many travel packages require you to travel during restricted times or stay in hotels or other accommodations that are substandard and of questionable quality. Some companies reserve the right to change or substitute accommodations without notice to the consumer.
Shop around for a better deal. Call the more reputable travel agencies which can give you an inexpensive package without worrying about any possible problems.
If you can't find a better deal (and that may be because the package is a scam) and if you have any suspicions, then do not accept the offer. There are plenty of reputable agents that can find you good trustworthy deals that you might pay a little more for but at least you can be comforted by the fact that you are getting what you paid for.
Finally, if you think you have been scammed, report the scam to our Complaint Centre and your local Better Business Bureau. You may also want to contact your local Enforcement Agency to assist you in investigating the scam.

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