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February 8, 2006
BBB Warns of Deceptive Travel Related Promotions
VANCOUVER– Better Business Bureaus across Canada and the United States are warning consumers about an increase in deceptive travel related offers.
Consumers are contacting the BBB to inquire about travel companies that promise “too-good-to-be-true” travel deals. These offers arrive unexpectedly in consumers’ mailboxes, through the phone, fax or Internet.
Typically, the consumer is told that they have won a “free” trip and must call a number to claim their prize. Or they receive a fax promoting an unbelievable vacation deal that looks as if it came through inter-office channels. Others were contacted by someone offering a travel club membership, allegedly worth thousand of dollars.
According to BBB experiences, some bogus promoters have been known to take consumers’ money, without providing the travel or trip that was promised. Other promoters advertise rock-bottom prices, but hide certain fees until the deal is sealed. Some promise luxurious accommodations and services, but deliver far less. Still others don’t reveal that the deal includes an obligation to sit through a lengthy and high pressure timeshare pitch at the destination. Finally, some promoters guarantee consumers that they can get a full refund if they decide to cancel the trip, but don’t follow through with the promised refund.
“This is the time of year when consumers are planning their spring break and summer vacations. We urge travel planners to verify the reliability of the business that is offering the travel services or accommodations, and obtain in writing all travel package details before you pay any fee, no matter how small,” said Sheila Charneski, President of the Better Business Bureau of Mainland B.C.
Consumers are encouraged to obtain the names, addresses and telephone numbers for the lodgings, airlines and cruise ships advertised in a vacation promotion. “Armed with that information, you can check with the BBB or a recognized travel organization to find out whether the business has been the subject of customer complaints. BBBs offer reports on travel-related businesses in both Canada and the U.S.,” said Sheila Charneski.
In B.C., travel companies must be registered with Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority and contribute to the Travel Assurance Fund which compensates travellers if the travel services has financial trouble and cannot provide the purchased services. A list of registered travel agencies is available at www.bpcpa.ca or 1-888-564-9963.
Fraudulent travel deals can be hard to distinguish from legitimate ones. Their intent is to lure people into buying vacations that they otherwise would not consider. The BBB recommends that consumers get the details of the promotion in writing, including the refund and cancellation policy, before they send a check or provide credit card number information. If asked to provide a credit card or bank account number for verification or identification, the BBB says to reconsider. This information can be used to make fraudulent charges or debits to the consumer’s accounts.
If you are tempted to respond to online travel solicitations, the BBB recommends that you not judge the agency solely by the appearance of its website. Online travel scams are increasing in part because it is easy to disguise your identity in cyberspace.
“Don’t assume that everyone who contacts you online is who they say they are,” said Sheila Charneski.“ Websites that display a ‘clickable’ BBBOnLine Reliability Seal indicate that the business is a member of the BBB and meets our standards for good business practices and reliability on the Internet.”