If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. Here's how to avoid being taken for a ride.

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Are there any general rules to follow to avoid being the victim of a travel scam?
Some of my daughter's college friends lost money when they signed up for a trip that was canceled at the last minute. How can my daughter avoid becoming the next victim?
We just returned from Hawaii, where we were constantly solicited to buy a timeshare. Are these deals as good as they sound?
I've been told that I shouldn't by a timeshare because it will be hard to sell it later. Is this true?
Is it possible to get out of a timeshare after signing a contract?
I received a vacation certificate in the mail. How can I figure out if it's legitimate?
How can I find out if a cheap airfare offered by a charter airline is legitimate?
How can I tell whether a deeply discounted airfare is legitimate?

Are there any general rules to follow to avoid being the victim of a travel scam?

As with most things in life, if the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That being said, here are some signs to watch out for:

• The solicitation says that you were "specially selected" or "awarded" a trip or prize, but you haven't entered any contest.
  
  
• You must make a payment to collect your prize.
  
  
• The salesperson uses high pressure sales tactics or insists on an immediate decision.
  
  
• You must disclose your income, Social Security number, bank account number or other private information.
  
  
• The company offers great bargains, but refuses to put the details in writing unless you pay first.
  
  
• The salesperson makes vague references to "all major airlines" or "all major hotels," without saying which ones you will use.
  
  
• You must wait more than 60 days before taking the trip or receiving the prize. (Most scam victims pay for their "prize" on their credit card; scam artists know that you must dispute any credit card charge within 60 days. If they force you to wait more than 60 days, you can't challenge the charge.)
  
  
• The caller asks for your credit card number over the phone.
  
  
• The company requests a direct bank deposit or certified check, or offers to send a courier to your home to pick up your check.
  
  
• The deal cannot be booked through a travel agent.
  
  
• You must call a 900 number.
  
  
• The company cannot provide the names of references, or the references you call repeat nearly verbatim the claims of the travel provider.

Some of my daughter's college friends lost money when they signed up for a trip that was canceled at the last minute. How can my daughter avoid becoming the next victim?

Many fly-by-night travel operations pitch specifically to students through telemarketing and other hard-sell tactics, hoping to take advantage of inexperienced travelers on a tight budget who are looking to save money.

Students should find out whether the tour company meets the standards set by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). To qualify, tour operators must submit a review signed by an independent certified public accountant as well as extensive documentation concerning government regulations for student exchanges, promotions and student insurance. The Advisory List of International Educational Travel and Exchange Programs, an annually updated booklet listing companies that meet the standards, is available from CSIET. Contact CSIET by calling 703-739-9050, emailing mailbox@csiet.org or visiting its website at http://www.csiet.org.