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Travel Scams FAQ


I received a vacation certificate in the mail. How can I figure out if it's legitimate?

First, review the tips at the beginning of this section. Then, if you find any of the following on a travel certificate, send it to the recycling bin:

  • Words such as Certificate of Guarantee and a spread-winged eagle or other prominent symbol designed to convey a sense of legitimacy.

  • A variety of possible vacation destinations, with no designated dates or price.

  • Exciting descriptions of what you will do, such as "gala cruise," "glittering casino action," "moonlight dancing" or "resort accommodations" with no designated company names.

  • A phrase in the fine print indicating you were chosen "using credit and purchasing criteria to select individuals interested in the many benefits of travel."

  • Fine print stating that the receipt of one portion of the offer (for example, the airline ticket) is dependent on purchase of something else (such as hotel accommodations).
Where to Report a Travel Scam

If you are the victim of any kind of travel scam, contact one or more of the following agencies or associations:

State and Local Government Agencies

  • State consumer protection office. To find the consumer protection office in your state or county, check out State Consumer Protection Offices or http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/crh/state.htm.

  • Local prosecutor. Call the nearest district attorney or state attorney general's office and ask whether there is a consumer fraud division.

  • State licensing board. Some states are starting to license travel providers. Ask your state attorney general if travel providers are licensed in your state.

Federal Government Agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Although the FTC generally does not intervene in individual consumer disputes, any information you provide might lead to an FTC investigation. Also, the FTC has free consumer publications that could be helpful before or after you travel, including Renting a Car, Car Rental Guide, 900 Numbers, Telemarketing Travel Fraud, Timeshare Resales and Traveler's Advisory: Get What You Pay For. Contact the FTC by calling 877-FTC-HELP or by visiting its website at http://www.ftc.gov.

  • Department of Transportation If you have a consumer concern or complaint regarding air services, you can contact the U.S. Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Division at 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20590, call 202-366-2220 or visit its website at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/problems.htm.

  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC). If you were defrauded by a telemarketer or phone solicitor, or were sucked in when a travel service provider aired a fraudulent ad on radio or television, contact the FCC at 888-CALL FCC or visit its website (where you can complete a complaint form online) at http://www.fcc.gov/cib.

  • U.S. Postal Service. If you were cheated by anyone who used the U.S. mail, file a complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. To do so, contact your local inspector's office or complete a complaint form online at http://www.framed.usps.com/postalinspectors.

Private Organizations

  • American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). If you have a complaint concerning an ASTA member, contact ASTA by calling 703-739-2782 or visit its website at http://www.astanet.com.

  • United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA). If you have a complaint concerning a USTOA member or a question about USTOA's consumer protection plan, contact USTOA by calling 212-599-6599 or visit its website at http://www.ustoa.com.

  • Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can provide a public service to other travelers by filing a complaint with all offices of the BBB where the scammer operates. In addition, the National Council of Better Business Bureaus operates a nationwide system for settling consumer disputes through mediation and arbitration. So, if you can find the company, you might be able to get some recourse through a BBB. You can reach the BBB at http://www.bbb.org.

  • National Fraud Information Center. NFIC can help you file a complaint with the appropriate federal agency, give you tips on how to avoid becoming the victim of a scam or send you consumer publications. You can reach NFIC by calling 800-876-7060 or by visiting its website at http://www.fraud.org.

Copyright 2005 Nolo


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