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As we enter vacation season, the excitement of getting away and enjoying some well-deserved rest can often cloud our judgment. Unfortunately, fraudsters are always looking for ways to take advantage of our enthusiasm, particularly when it comes to booking travel. Vacation scams are on the rise, and these scams can lead to lost money, stolen personal information, or even ruined trips. At Citizens National Bank (CNB), we want to help you stay safe by offering a few tips on how to avoid vacation scams and protect your travel plans.

1. Be Wary of Unsolicited Vacation Offers

One of the most common ways scammers target travelers is through unsolicited emails or phone calls offering "too good to be true" vacation packages. These offers may promise discounted flights, hotels, or all-inclusive packages to popular destinations. They often urge you to act quickly, creating a sense of urgency to pressure you into booking immediately.

Tip: If you receive an unexpected vacation offer, do not respond or click on any links until you’ve verified its legitimacy. Research the company independently and read reviews from trusted sources to ensure they are legitimate.

2. Use Trusted Booking Websites and Agencies

When booking travel, always use well-known, reputable websites and agencies. Scammers often create fake websites that appear professional but are designed to steal your credit card details or personal information.

Tip: Stick to booking with established brands or platforms with secure payment options. Look for the "https://" at the beginning of the web address, and be sure to verify that the website has proper security certificates before making any purchases.

3. Look for Red Flags in Reviews

Customer reviews can be an excellent source of information when choosing hotels, flights, or activities for your trip. However, fraudulent reviews are becoming more common, with scammers posting fake positive reviews to make an accommodation or service appear trustworthy.

Tip: Use multiple review platforms and check for consistency in the feedback. Be cautious of reviews that sound too generic or overly enthusiastic without specific details. A legitimate review will usually include information that sounds personal or specific to the experience.

4. Verify the Legitimacy of Vacation Rentals

Vacation rentals through platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo are increasingly popular, but unfortunately, these platforms are also targets for scammers. Fraudulent listings may offer properties at unbeatable prices, only for travelers to find out when they arrive that the property either doesn't exist or isn't available.

Tip: Always verify listings and communicate through the official rental platform to ensure the transaction is secure. Never send money directly to a property owner outside the platform’s payment system, and report any suspicious listings to the site.

5. Be Cautious When Paying for Travel

Travel scams often involve upfront payment for a vacation package, hotel room, or excursion that doesn’t exist. Fraudsters will ask for payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or other non-secure methods, making it difficult to track down the scammer after the payment has been made.

Tip: Use a credit card to pay for travel whenever possible. Credit cards offer additional protections, such as the ability to dispute fraudulent charges. Avoid using wire transfers, gift cards, or cash to pay for travel-related expenses, as these methods provide little recourse if something goes wrong.

6. Research Travel Insurance Options

Travel insurance is an essential part of planning a vacation, and scammers are known to take advantage of travelers who don’t fully understand their insurance policies. Some fake companies offer low-cost travel insurance that doesn’t actually cover anything, leaving you exposed to additional costs or loss.

Tip: Purchase travel insurance from reputable companies that are well-known and trusted in the industry. Ensure you fully understand the coverage, including what’s included and what’s excluded, and never purchase insurance from unverified sources.

7. Protect Your Personal Information

Finally, it's important to safeguard your personal information throughout the booking process. Vacation scams often involve phishing attempts where fraudsters try to steal your sensitive data, such as your Social Security number, credit card information, or passport details.

Tip: Be cautious about sharing personal information. Only enter sensitive details on secure, trusted websites and be aware of phishing emails or phone calls that may ask for personal data. When in doubt, contact the company directly to confirm any communication you’ve received.