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Attorney General Mike DeWine
DeWine Warns of
Travel Scams
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today warned
consumers to beware of travel scams during spring and summer vacation
months.
In 2015, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office received more than 400
travel-related complaints. Complaints ranged from billing disputes to
services never delivered.
Commonly cited problems included offers for “free” travel or vacations
that were not truly free, travel services that did not deliver promised
benefits, and timeshare “resellers” who made false promises to help
consumers sell their timeshares.
“We encourage consumers to check out companies before doing business
with them,” Attorney General DeWine said. “While there are many great
travel services, there are a few that don’t follow the rules.”
In Ohio, if a seller advertises that a consumer has won a free vacation
or other prize, the advertisement must state important exclusions and
limitations of the offer. For example, if a consumer is required to
listen to a sales presentation about travel club memberships in order
to receive a free cruise, that requirement should be disclosed in the
ad.
Additionally, if a sale takes place outside a seller’s normal place of
business, such as at a hotel meeting room, the consumer likely is
entitled to a three-day right to cancel the sale under Ohio’s Home
Solicitation Sales Act. Under this law, sellers must notify consumers
of their cancellation rights.
To avoid problems with travel services, consumers should:
Research companies before doing business with them. Look for complaints
filed with the Attorney General’s Office and Better Business Bureau.
Search online for reviews using the company’s name and words like
“reviews” or “complaints.”
Get the details. Carefully review the terms and conditions of any
agreement before signing it.
Make sure verbal promises are put in writing. Otherwise, they’re not
guaranteed.
Consider paying with a credit card. You generally have stronger
protections to dispute credit card charges if something goes wrong.
Keep documentation. Maintain a copy of the contract or purchase
agreement. If a problem arises, document the situation. For example,
track the names of people you contact.
Verify your reservations. If you book a trip through a third party,
call the resort or hotel where you will be staying to confirm your
reservation.
Questions to ask before signing up for a travel club membership include:
Will you have to take several trips per year to get any savings?
Do trips book up quickly, limiting your ability to schedule a vacation?
Can you find similar or better deals yourself online?
What is the cancellation policy?
Are deposits refundable?
Are there any non-refundable fees?
Will you get a refund if a trip is canceled because of a natural
disaster or bad weather?
Will you have to pay an extra fee if you change your reservations or
reschedule a trip?
What’s the total cost of the membership?
Will additional fees kick in later, after you sign the agreement?
Consumers who suspect a scam or who have problems they can’t resolve on
their own should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at
www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515. The office provides a free
informal dispute resolution process to help resolve complaints. It also
takes enforcement actions against travel services that violate Ohio’s
consumer protection laws.
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