AARP Virginia warns travelers about travel scams this summer
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Travels scams, and temperatures, are on the rise this summer. Before you take your next vacation, AARP Virginia is sharing tips to help you avoid fake booking sites and travel deals that are too good to be true.
Scammers are looking to take advantage of travelers this summer, advertising fake dream vacations that will cost you more than you imagined. AARP said scammers post unbelievable travel prices and fake rental listings to fake booking sites before pressuring people to pay on the spot through wire transfers, gifts cards and other payment methods.
"As long as you have money and personal information, they care about that and they definitely want that from you," said Martin Bailey, AARP fraud expert.
8News spoke with Martin Bailey, a fraud expert who said anyone can fall victim to travel scams. He also said avoiding scammers starts with being skeptical about the deals you come across. He recommended swapping a debit card for a credit card when making travel payments to increase security.
"And again, use your credit card. No matter what you're doing on vacation, I recommend that you always use your credit card," Bailey said.
Things to look for when booking:
- Unbelievably low prices on websites
- Low quality photographs
- Lack of reviews
- Grammatical errors and spelling
- Avoid switching social media sites
Bailey said making it to your travel destination does not mean you are in the clear. He said it's important to stay alert when you arrive, looking out for unusual text messages and unfamiliar environments.
"Be totally aware of your environment and your surroundings, especially when you're not in a familiar area," Bailey said.
If you have fallen victim to a scam you are urged to report the incident. You can call AARP Fraud Watch Network at 877-908-3360. You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General's Office using their website.
