As we approach the peak time for summer vacations, Iowa Attorney General, Tom Miller, is reminding consumers to protect themselves for booking scams while reserving their getaways. According to a 2015 estimate by the American Hotel and Lodging Association, vacationers fall victim to 15 million fake booking scams a year amounting to $1.3 billion lost. To avoid this situation, keep a close eye on the web address. It easy to be redirected to fake website that looks similar to a legitimate one. Fraudulent sites will use unusual third-party payment methods and overly-positive reviews to lull consumers into a false sense of security. After making a review, Miller suggests contacting the company after paying to confirm your reservations. Legitimate companies are much easier to get in touch with and will be able to repeat to you the details of your booking. If fraud is suspected, immediately contact your credit card issuer immediately to work through the situation. Using a travel agency with a physical location is the safest method to avoid vacation scams.
