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Have you attended a home or auto show where a promoter wanted you to
register for a free or low cost vacation? Has a telemarketer called you on the phone inviting you to hear a sales
promotion about a time-share in return for free lodging? Have you received a postcard telling you you've won a cruise to some exotic
locale?
Not all of these "opportunities" are misrepresentations, but some should
be accompanied by the warning, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably
is."
The telemarketer or promoter may want your credit card number to qualify
you for the vacation offer. Then you may find unapproved and illegal fees charged
to your credit account. You also may find a delay between the time you register
and the time the promoter says you can take the vacation or cruise. And, you may
be told that your airline ticket will be waiting for you at the airport at the
time of departure.
All of these limitations and conditions should serve as redflags.
The vacation may be offered at an "off peak" season when the weather is
unsuitable. The free lodging or cruise may require you to purchase the airline
ticket directly from the promoter. The price may be much higher than the economy
rate which the promoter paid for it or the lower price you could pay if you
comparison shopped. Upon arrival at the vacation site, the free room frequently
is inadequate, causing you to pay for an upgrade.
You can decrease the chances being taken by these vacation scams by asking
some important questions. Here are some guidelines:
- Ask detailed questions. What is and is not included in the price? Are
there other charges? If so, when will they be levied? Does the offer include all
transportation, meals, drinks, taxes or miscellaneous extras? With international
travel, are ground transportation charges included? What is the mode of ground
transportation? What is the total price? Get the name of airlines and hotels
involved in the offer. Contact them to see if they are actually participating
and compare prices that these airlines and hotels might have available in other
"deals." Confirm all reservations and ask about cancellation policies and
refunds.
- Get all information in writing before signing any papers or making any
agreement to buy the travel package. If the telemarker refuses to send
written material or the offer is only available for a limited time and you
need to make the decision now, forget it. Never allow yourself to be pressured
into making an immediate decision. If the promoter does send the information in
the mail, read it carefully making sure it is what you were told over the phone.
Be cautious of verbal promises and possible misrepresentations.
- Never give your credit card number to a telemarker over the phone or to
a promoter for verification. Never give your credit card number over the phone unless you initiate the transaction and you are
confident about the company with which you are doing business. Victims for so-called bargains are billed quickly after giving their credit card numbers. It is
typically difficult under these circumstances to get the problem corrected.
- Be cautious of companies which require that you wait at least 60 days to
take your trip. They may be out-of-business by that time with no vacation and
no chance of refund in sight.
- Never send anyone money as a condition to receive your "free" prize.
- If the offer requires you to call a 900 number, understand that there will
be charges for the call and be aware of the risks.
- Never put you name in a box for a drawing for a free vacation unless you
know the organization that is running the drawing. Scam artists frequently use
drawings to provide lists of people who want something for nothing.
Not all telemarketing operations or sales promotions are scams. If you are
suspicious about a telemarketing call or piece of mail offering a vacation deal,
call the National Fraud Information Center at 1 (800) 876-7060. This organization
is run by the National Consumers' League, a private, non-profit Consumer advocacy
group. It will not give Consumers information about a specific promoter, but
can provide useful information to help make decisions and tell how to report a
possible scam.
For more information about this topic, contact Kay Zimka, Colorado State
University Extension in Jefferson County, Colorado at (303) 271-6620
or e-mail: kzimka@co.jefferson.co.us
or contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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