Travel Scam
Before you buy those plane tickets, learn about two topics critical to planning a happy vacation: Travel Notes and Avoiding Travel Scams
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Letting us know where youâll use your card(s) will help our Risk Management department know what transactions to expect and what transactions might be fraud. You can load a Travel Note in Online & Mobile Banking.Â
Avoiding Travel Scams
Many of us have received a random email or an automated phone call saying weâve won a free luxury cruise. All thatâs required is payment of a few fees ahead of time. Nothing to worry about, right?
If Something Sounds Too Good to be TrueâŚ
Some of these âfabulousâ offers can be either completely fake or simply deceptive, such as including hidden or poorly-disclosed fees. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)âs website has a useful article on how to avoid Travel Scams, Rental Listing Scams, International Driverâs License Scams, and more.
The Warning Signs of a Scam
When it comes to travel, here are some common warning signs that the offer might not be legitimate:
- You won a âfree vacationâ â but you need to pay something upfront
- The company contacts you out of the blue
- They wonât give you specifics, such as the identity of the âfancy resortâ
- Youâre pressured to sign up for a travel club
- You receive a robocall
And here are some warning signs to watch for when looking for a rental property (whether for a short-term, long-term, or permanent basis):
- They want you to wire money
- They want a security deposit or first monthâs rent before youâve met/signed a lease
- They say theyâre not in the country but that they have a plan to get you the key
One warning sign of both travel scams and rental listing scams:
- Youâre asked to book or pay outside of the official booking app or website
While these warning signs donât necessarily mean that the offer is a scam, they should motivate you to do further research before you act.
What You Can Do if You Arenât Sure
When it comes to travel offers that seem too good to be true, there are a couple options for doing your due diligence, especially if you donât know the company:
- Call the Attorney General and local consumer protection agencies in the companyâs home state to check on complaints
- Search online by entering the company name and the word âcomplaintsâ or âscamâ and read what other people are saying
How to File a Complaint
If you think you may have been targeted by a travel or rental listing scam, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. For more on travel scams, visit ftc.gov/travel.
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