Cheap-Ticket Scam-avoider

Going on a vacation requires the need to prepare travel essentials. In most cases, these essentials have to be bought specifically for the travel. From accommodations to guidebooks to travel clothes to gadgets – they can take up a big part of your budget.

To save on travel needs, some people resort to online shopping. However, shopping online can be a tricky thing to do. Scammers are all over the web and if you are not careful, you might find yourself wasting precious travel money instead of saving. Here are some tips to help you avoid scam artists online:

Always demand a written contract. If the person you are dealing with requires you to make advance payment without any writing, chances are you are being scammed. Also, online purchases do not have need of your personal information. Do not disclose confidential information such as passwords and social security when you are transacting online.
Your transactions must be performed via post office. Scammers usually insist on doing transactions through the courier service in order to prevent mail fraud laws. Avoid these kinds of transactions.
Vendors who do transactions over the phone must be avoided. Travel companies process transactions online. If your vendor calls you on the phone to do transactions, ask them about significant information such as their company policy, their address, written contracts, and the like. If they give suspicious answers, do not go on with the transaction.
Be guarded about vendors who offer limited time discounts. Chances are these vendors are scam artists. They require you to pay a couple of months ahead of your travel schedule so that you would not have the chance to dispute credit card charges with your bank.
Require your vendor to disclose information like hotel names and airlines. There is no reason why your vendor should refuse to give such information to you unless you are dealing with a scammer.
Be discerning about companies offering cheap tickets rates. Some credible companies offer realistic discounts during particular situations like off seasons. However, there are those companies that suspiciously offer rates far below the market value. Such cheap travel packages might have hidden charges and can be mere tactics to draw you in to much more expensive deals.
Ask around. Before dealing with any travel company, ask friends or family who might have already encountered the company you are about to transact with.