Summer Hotel Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Common Traps

In the first three months of the previous year, there were 86,146 scam reports in the US, totaling at least $142 million in damages¹. These numbers show how important it is for travelers to watch out for summer hotel scams. Whether you’re booking your trip or already on vacation, staying alert is key.

Contents

Scammers look for tired or distracted travelers to get their credit card info or unauthorized room access. Knowing these common scams helps travelers stay safe and have a great vacation.

Key Takeaways

Watch out for fake hotel booking sites, Wi-Fi, and phone calls that try to steal your info or money.
Be careful with money-sharing apps like Cash App, as scams include fake vacation rentals and cash flipping¹.
Airline scams can be fake websites, saying your card was declined, or fake flight cancellations¹.
Scammers target travelers with fake rideshare sites to steal your info; always use official apps and don’t share personal details¹.
Being careful and informed helps prevent travel scams and ensures a safe summer vacation¹.

Vacation Rental Scams

Vacation rentals can be a great choice for travelers, but beware, some online listings might not be real. Scammers often make fake property listings, either for non-existent properties or ones that look nothing like the ad. They promise low prices and great amenities to trick people, making it seem urgent to book quickly².

Spotting Fake Listings and Urgency Tactics

Be careful when looking at vacation rental listings. Watch out for properties with no reviews, poor descriptions, or mistakes in the language. These could be signs of a scam³. Scammers might also rush you into a decision by saying the property is very popular or the price will go up soon³.

Always book through trusted sites like Airbnb or Vrbo for more security and fraud protection².
Pay with a credit card to have zero fraud liability and traceable payments².
Avoid paying with wire transfers, Venmo, or cash because they’re hard to trace and recover if it’s a scam².
Check with the host after booking to confirm the property details and make sure the listing is real³.

By being careful and following these tips, you can lower the chance of falling into vacation rental scams and have a stress-free vacation²³.

“Scammers target units that are not actually for rent and use internet photos to create fake listings, making it hard to discern the scam.”³

Misleading “Free” Vacation Offers

When a cruise or travel company says a vacation is “free,” it might not mean you won’t pay anything. Always check the details and look out for hidden fees like airfare, port charges, taxes, and tips. Working with a reputable travel agency can help you find a package that fits your budget⁴.

Scammers stole $95 million from travelers in 2021, says the Federal Trade Commission⁴. The Better Business Bureau found over $3.5 million lost in vacation scams from 2020 to 2022⁴. Last year, over 400 people lost half a million dollars to vacation scams, according to the BBB⁴.

Deals that seem too good to be true could potentially be scams.⁵ Be wary of unsolicited offers for “free” trips and prices that are way lower than usual⁵. Scammers set up fake travel sites that look real, leading to lost money and ruined vacations⁶.

Unsolicited offers for free vacations are usually scams trying to get your info or money⁶.
Scammers might ask for payment for summer deals on apps like Cash App and then vanish⁶.
They might also try hotel scams, calling to pretend they’re the front desk to get your credit card details⁶.

“Watching for heavily discounted vacation opportunities is crucial, as deals that seem too good to be true could potentially be scams.”⁵

To dodge these free vacation scams, cruise package cons, and travel company deceptions, do your homework. Read reviews and get all the trip details in writing before paying⁵. Using a credit card can also protect you if there are problems with your booking⁵.

Third-Party Booking Site Scams

Booking travel through unknown third-party sites can be risky. Scammers might pretend to be online travel brokers. They might ask for your credit card info or say flights are canceled, asking for more money⁷. Many people end up booking flights or hotels that don’t exist⁷.

To stay safe, check out companies on trusted sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB.org) and read reviews before booking⁸. The Better Business Bureau suggests buying directly from the source and checking contact info to dodge scams⁸.

Watch out for sites that use tricks, like fake airline ticket sales or “free” vacation scams⁸.
Scammy websites can trick you into calling wrong numbers, making it hard to know who you’re talking to⁷.
Jim thought he called Delta but ended up talking to Boketo and then Travel Makers⁷.

Travel scams can happen to anyone, even those on business trips, showing how widespread these scams are⁹. There are many real third-party booking sites, but many more fake ones, making it hard to know which is safe⁹.

“Consumers should be careful when using VoIP internet calling, says Delta.”⁷

By being careful and doing your homework, you can lower the chance of getting scammed by third-party booking sites. This way, you can have a safe and smooth trip⁸. AAA also says using travel agents can help protect you from fake bookings⁸.

Summer Hotel Scams

As the world comes out of the pandemic, people are looking for places to relax away from home. But, scammers are also on the move, finding new ways to trick travelers¹⁰.

One common scam is fake rental properties. Scammers make websites that look like real vacation rental sites. They offer low prices to trick people, and then the victims lose their money¹¹.

Another scam is fake booking sites. These sites look like they’re official places to book hotels, but they’re not. They offer discounts that seem too good to be true. Travelers who use these sites might not get a room or the room won’t be as.

To avoid these scams, check if a rental or booking site is real before you book. Do your homework, read reviews, and be careful of deals that seem too cheap.¹¹

By being careful and informed, travelers can have a safe vacation without falling into these scams¹⁰¹¹.

“Scammers are always finding new ways to trick travelers, especially in the summer. Being careful and informed can keep you safe.”

Spotting Fake Listings and Urgency Tactics

Scammers often try to make you feel like you must act fast. They say a place is very popular and will soon be gone¹¹. This can make people rush into bad decisions, making them more likely to fall for a scam¹¹.

Make sure the rental or booking site is real by checking reviews and official info.
Be careful of listings with little information, generic photos, or prices that seem too low.
Don’t pay with methods that can’t be traced, like prepaid cards or wire transfers.

By being alert and following these tips, you can have a great summer vacation without worrying about scams¹⁰¹¹.

Timeshare Resale Cons

Timeshare owners should watch out for unsolicited calls from people claiming to be brokers or agents. They say they have buyers for your timeshare but ask for upfront fees and don’t follow through¹². These scams use high-pressure sales, unwanted calls, and upfront payments for fake promises¹².

Avoiding Upfront Fee Traps

Scammers often use the upfront fee trap. They say they have a buyer and ask for a fee to make the sale happen, then vanish¹². Companies promise to get you out of your contract for a lot of money¹². It’s important to be cautious of anyone asking for money upfront, as it’s a sign of a scam.

To stay safe, do your homework on any company or person offering to help with resale before sharing personal or financial info¹². The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) has a tool to find trustworthy companies in the timeshare industry¹². Also, know you can cancel a timeshare contract without penalty during a ten-day rescission period¹².

Being informed and careful can help timeshare owners dodge scams and avoid upfront fee traps¹². Over $8 million in unpaid fees in the timeshare industry are due to scams by Viking ship companies¹².

General Tips to Avoid Travel Scams

It’s key to avoid travel scams for a fun and safe trip. Make sure to do your homework, book with trusted companies, and watch out for deals that seem too perfect. Scammers might offer “free” trips or fake vacation rentals to trick¹³.

Always book your trip directly with the hotel, airline, or rental owner. Don’t use third-party sites. This way, you deal with a real company and avoid scams or hidden fees¹⁴.

Don’t wire money or use prepaid debit cards for booking. These methods are often linked to scams and can be hard to get back if something goes wrong¹⁴.
Be wary of super cheap deals. They might be scams. Always check if the offer is real¹⁴.
Look up reviews and ratings of the companies you’re thinking about. This can show if others have had problems¹⁵.

By being careful and following these tips, you can prevent travel scams and have a great trip¹³¹⁴¹⁵.

“Protecting yourself from travel scams is key for a safe and memorable trip. Stay informed, book wisely, and trust your gut to dodge any surprises.”

Common Scam Tactics and Responses

Travelers need to watch out for scams during summer. One trick is the “What time is it?” scam, where a stranger distracts you to steal or scam you. The best way to handle this is to say no and avoid talking to strangers.

Bracelet and Trinket Scams

Watch out for people trying to put bracelets on you or give you trinkets. They might ask for money or pick your pocket. Saying no firmly is the best way to protect yourself from these scams¹⁶.

Attraction Closure Ruses

Be careful of taxi drivers or guides who say your attraction is closed. They might want to take you somewhere else for a commission. Always check attraction hours before going, and don’t accept offers to go somewhere else¹⁶.

Ticket Machine Manipulation

Scammers might say ticket machines don’t take foreign cards and offer to buy tickets for you. But they might give you fake or overpriced tickets. Trust yourself to use the machine and don’t give money or cards to strangers¹⁶. Watch out for credit card fraud and ticket scams¹⁷.

FAQ

What are some common vacation rental scams to watch out for?

Scammers might list properties that don’t exist or aren’t for rent. They might also show pictures of different places. They use low fees and great amenities to make you act fast. They want your money before you can check if the listing is real.

How can I spot if a “free” vacation offer is actually a scam?

Be careful of ads for “free” vacations. They often have hidden costs like air travel, taxes, and tips. Always read the fine print. Consider using a reputable travel agency to find a good deal.

What should I be cautious about when booking travel through third-party websites?

Scammers might pretend to be online brokers. They ask for your credit card info or say flights are cancelled and you need to pay more. Always check companies on BBB.org and read reviews before booking.

How can timeshare owners avoid resale scams?

Watch out for unsolicited calls from people claiming to be brokers or agents. They might want upfront fees but won’t deliver on their promises.

What are some general tips to avoid travel scams?

Do your homework, book with reputable companies, and don’t wire money or use prepaid debit cards. Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true.

How should I respond to common scam tactics like “What time is it?” requests or people trying to tie bracelets on me?

Keep walking and ignore strangers who stop you. Say no to any unsolicited items or interactions. They might be trying to distract you for pickpocketing or other scams.

What should I do if a taxi driver or bystander claims an attraction is closed?

Check attraction hours before you go. Politely say no to any unsolicited offers to take you somewhere else. They might be trying to take you to places where they get commissions.

How can I avoid being scammed when using ticket machines?

Trust yourself to use the machine. Don’t give money or cards to anyone who says they can help. They might give you invalid or overpriced tickets.