The March Group Scam Prevention Program considers traveling as a literally great form of escape. We look forward to weekends, holidays, the summer season, and any given time that permit us to go to another place and appreciate the change of scenery. For haggard employees, it is a chance to take a breather from work; for the family, it could be a great bonding time away from the routine embedded at home; for the young and adventurous, it is about exploring the unknown and experiencing what’s new and memorable. The need and desire to travel are innate in us, given our curiosity-seeking nature.
But the joy of travel can be significantly ruined with scammers and opportunists waiting to prey on clueless victims, as we at The March Group Scam Prevention knows. Because travel is such big business, it is no wonder that scams would not be far behind.
Consider travel packages to famous tourist destinations, or during world-famous events such as the Super Bowl, World Cup, or even Carnivale in Brazil. If the scam does not involve paying an exorbitant (or is it extortionate?) price for these, it could be in the form of additional “hidden” expenses such as undisclosed taxes and surcharges upon check out from the hotel; or worse not having the ticket or the pass for the event you traveled for in the first place.
There can also be false claims about the location being advertised. A beach-side resort is actually a kilometer or two away from the beach, or a supposed airport hotel is actually an hour’s drive away from the airport. These misleading expectations can give travelers a seriously inconvenient time, especially if the trip is business-related, considering the extra time consumed for travel. A really pissed off customer might even file a lawsuit to the travel company, or the establishment itself that advertised themselves as such.
When visiting other countries, on the other hand, it’s best to be cautious of locals who might seem too eager to be friendly, and who offer a lot of activities instantly upon meeting you. This becomes particularly tricky when you don’t speak the language and do not understand what they are telling you. Scams can be from bringing you to a restaurant whose menu is written in the local language without prices listed, leaving you to settle the expensive bill at the end of the meal, just after the scammers have left the scene. Or it could involve being sold potentially dangerous products, such as herbal supplements, or personal care items that are cheaply made with hazardous components or ingredients. These merchandise may be packaged beautifully, and as a tourist, the offer might seem too good to pass up, but be wary of the potentially hazardous effects these may have on you. As with children, be cautious when accepting anything from strangers.
When making arrangements for your trip, be thorough in checking all of the details that the trip includes, such as all the fees, taxes, and surcharges that come with it, and what the inclusions really are. If it involves a major event with a need for a ticket or pass, get a firm date of when it can be expected to be given to you, but always right before your trip. For these kinds of transactions, it would be wise to pay with a credit card rather than cash or money order because of the built-in refunds that most card companies offer if goods or services are not delivered.
The March Group Scam Prevention Program advises travelers to always be vigilant and avoid distraction. Never let valuables out of your sight and ask if you do not completely understand everything being said to you.
When traveling, it’s better safe than sorry (and scammed).
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The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.