| After watching the persuasive television | | | | another website, to be inserted on a fake |
| commercial with a former science fiction | | | | website. Unless you can verify with the BBB |
| television star proclaiming just how cheap | | | | that the company is actually a member, there |
| travel can really be, you might find yourself | | | | is no reason to assume the logo on their |
| on the Internet testing the virtual waters. | | | | website is genuine. Similarly, reviews, press |
| Unfortunately, while originally you might | | | | releases, and testimonials do not have to be |
| have intended to visit the website that your | | | | genuine. Caution should always be exercised, |
| sci-fi actor was talking about, you soon find | | | | and the more amazing the deal, the more |
| yourself getting side tracked into checking | | | | caution there should be. |
| out some other site and deals, and before | | | | |
| long you would be amazed that travel deals on | | | | The BBB advises this for people looking to |
| the 'Net' are indeed not only cheap but | | | | resell there timeshare, but seems to apply |
| usually feature some exotic destination that | | | | for many types of businesses (in my view). |
| is amazingly desirable! | | | | The Better Business Bureau recommends the |
| | | | following: |
| Even as you celebrate your delving into the | | | | |
| world of online travel reservations, there is | | | | - Do not agree to anything over the telephone |
| a little voice in the back of your mind | | | | until you have had a chance to check out the |
| warning you that deals which sound too good | | | | company. |
| to be true usually leave something to be | | | | |
| desired, yet instead of pulling back and | | | | - Ask the person to send you written |
| steering your search to the more well known | | | | materials. |
| sites, you continue to dig deeper and deeper | | | | |
| and land on a good many sites advocating | | | | - Ask for references, including address and |
| steals and deals - even though the names of | | | | phone number and contact them. |
| the businesses are unknown to you. | | | | |
| | | | - Ask where the company is located and in |
| A closer look at Internet travel scams | | | | what states it does business. |
| reveals that it is now the eager web surfer | | | | |
| that will be at the highest risk of falling | | | | - Ask if the company's salespeople are |
| for one of the many ruthless campaigns | | | | licensed to sell real estate where your |
| currently being marketed online. A scam site | | | | timeshare is located. If so, verify this with |
| with an impossibly long link (URL) may | | | | the state licensing board. |
| feature a well known name and logo. Travel | | | | |
| deals closely mirror that of the original | | | | - Find out if the company charges a |
| site with the company's genuine name and web | | | | commission. Do they handle the entire closing |
| address. Being somewhat web savvy, you figure | | | | and provide escrow services? Do they charge |
| that this is the site of an affiliate and | | | | an up-front listing or advertising fee? What |
| even as you are getting ready to go back to | | | | does it cover and is it refundable? |
| the original site, you notice that here the | | | | |
| deals are even better than they are at the | | | | - Be wary of companies charging an advance |
| original merchant site. Dig down a little | | | | "appraisal" fee for services. Consider opting |
| deeper and you will find the affiliate | | | | for a company that offers to sell for a fee |
| agent's assertion that in desperation to make | | | | only after the timeshare is sold. |
| a deal, she or he will comp you part of their | | | | |
| commission or offer you the deal at an | | | | - Contact the Better Business Bureau ( state |
| employee discount. Stay away from these | | | | Attorney General's office, and local consumer |
| practices. They are not only unethical within | | | | protection agencies in the state where the |
| the industry but hardly ever genuine. | | | | company is located to find out if complaints |
| Furthermore, if the deal is made from a third | | | | have been lodged against the company. |
| party, you may have no recourse if problems | | | | |
| arise and the affiliate will be long gone! | | | | At this point in time the travel industry is |
| | | | the one with the most complaints currently |
| Conversely, a travel agency with a name you | | | | found on the 'Net.' A closer look at Internet |
| never heard of may be offering deals that are | | | | travel scams reveals that the numbers of |
| steals. Having numerous confidence inspiring | | | | fraudulent agents are former members of |
| banners on their sites, such as the ones from | | | | travel agencies who are going it alone, and |
| the Better Business Bureau and others, you | | | | are downright scam artists who are currently |
| may believe that you are safe. Unfortunately, | | | | operating Phony websites and have maligned |
| blindly believing this is a mistake since | | | | the good name of the trade in general. |
| anyone can cut and paste an image from | | | | |