How to Avoid Travel Club Scams

Written by Valerie Caulin Friday, 17 June 2011 05:58

Scams and frauds seem to be part of today's world as they present in various industries. The travel industry sadly is also now being victimized by scammers. And within this industry are those travel club scammers. It is expected that scammers want to take advantage of the growing industry of travel clubs to earn effortless-money to the expense of others. With promises of big savings in exclusive travels, scammers can easily operate targeting innocent tourists.

Scams and frauds seem to be part of today's world as they present in various industries. The travel industry sadly is also now being victimized by scammers. And within this industry are those travel club scammers. It is expected that scammers want to take advantage of the growing industry of travel clubs to earn effortless-money to the expense of others. With promises of big savings in exclusive travels, scammers can easily operate targeting innocent tourists.

There are many ways that a scammer can victimized you. They can charge you with rates that are over-the-board or engge in ill practices that are also illegal in most federal laws. Sometimes, they literally run away with your money - you pay and there is no vacation at all!

No one wants to be scammed and it is your duty to protect yourself. Scammers are scattered everywhere ready to strike - do not let yourself to be the next victim. Hence, before you accpet any sales presentations, you must prepare and equipped yourself with some information and knowledge.

Knowing how travel clubs operate and what they really are is one of the best ways to protect yourself from scammers. The internet can provide some of the basic data on travel clubs and you might come across the name of the travel club who is trying to sign you up. The internet can also help you if you want to check for previous complaints from travel clubs.

So before you enter any venue for these travel club presentation, have an idea on their operations. Google them a night before, check for their history and what they really are all about. This can save you from total scamming - some travel clubs do not exist at all and their victims have already paid for their membership fees.

Aside from studying a travel club, it is also good if you have an average costs of various vacation packages. Sometimes, scammers would give you figures on how low their rates are but in reality, they cost the same or even higher than the usual market prices. One of the common complaints against travel clubs is that tourists can book these discounted hotel rooms and airfare on their own- without any travel club membership which requires a fee.

Another trick among scammers are using fraudalent data. To persuade tourists to sign up, they often show data or claim that they are affiliated to certain resorts but they are all untrue. Be a critical consumer and make sure that they have realibe sources. Again, you can utilize the internet to verify their claims.

Come in confident and knowledegable. Some travel agents would use your ignorance of the ins and outs of the travel industry to rip you off. Ask questions and don't be afraid to be skeptical. Do not fall to their claims easily.

Lastly, its a big no-no to sign up right away. Refuse signing up after the presentation no matter how tempting their offers are. You can gracefully turn down and just inform sales people that they will call you. Its better that you don't give your contact information to prevent them from bugging you. Get their business cards for you to contact them in case you decide to sign up for a travel club membership.