Possible Travel Scams - I know I've been burnt before, could "this deal" be for real this time ?

Possible Travel Scams - Too good to be true, for real ? Scam victimization does not literally care if you are young or old … White or Chinese … Red head or bald … Republican or democratic … High School diploma or have a Masters … Live in the most expensive house in town or the trailer down the road ! All forms of walk have skillfully had their chain pulled and fallen short of the truth ! Thirty years ago, I actually worked for a bank, prior to ever considering the travel business. It was certainly then, my first encounter with consumer scams, playing victim on our bank customers. If we caught wind, when a client was withdrawing money, that it could possibly be for a possible scam, we would automatically offer to consult with them and offered to call their family ! * Little ol’ ladies sending so-called-taxes money first, to get a car or prize that had suddenly won ! * Folks selling their car, having to send money first, cause the check coming to them would ultimately be the amount they had agreed on. * The the list goes on ... Admittingly, after I saw several doctor customers formerly bite a few travel scams, I believe this was part of the inspiration, driving me to want to help Lynchburg folk with travel ! Actually, the reason I am bringing this topic up today, is cause I received another call, like I do regularly, every week, from a “local” who bought one of the “good to be true” travel deals (he bought from company in Arizona)... Buy now, receive later. Yep, you can typically use up to one year or 18 months ... "Red Flag 1”. Sadly for all consumers alike, advertisement has lead us to believe, if you shop long and hard enough, you will get a better deal. Or if it just simply sounds unbelievable, jump on it now ! Unfortunately this is a mind set that are hurting our folks daily ! http://www.usa.gov/topics/consumer/scams-fraud.shtml Unfortunately consumers … Allow me to highly express, unless you can afford to loose your hard earned money, your travel is NOT something for you to “choose” to play around with ! Though travel is “all about fun”, buying your travel is totally different, and should be most definitely taken seriously … Like work smart, Be smart ! And did you know there's "Default of a Carrier" insurance you should be considering ! We’ve all knowingly heard it before … “If it looks to good to be true, it genuinely probably is”. This was a catchphrase used by the Better Business Bureau to alert the public to shady business practices beginning in 1954. And why not check out: www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com! Honestly, if buying travel only meant, looking on the “net” and find a good deal, why are there so many travel agents out there ? Why are cruise lines and Land Tour Operators excitingly willing to pay agents commission for "watching over", yes, that's what I said, "watching over" your vacation till it's time to leave ? Did you know agents are not paid for what is done prior to you confirming you plans, they are actually paid for what you might need "after" ! Yes, I said "after ! You do realize, when you buy your own travel, no one is paying you to watch over it ! You can't get a lower price, literally ! Could it be something “in” all these people who buy strickly from agents ? Oh, that topics for another day ! The big question is, does the consumer really know a good deal with they see it ? All-in-all, next time you’re about to buy travel, do yourself a favor, bring up these “red flags” to yourself : (1) Always use debit card or credit card, preferably credit, for better protection. Never, ever, buy anything that you will not get till the future, with cash or check ! (2) After you’ve checked the “net”, especially for hotel and airfare, go directly to that vendor and check out their price and highly consider buying directly there ! (3) If your offer is giving you one year to 18 months to use, BINGO, big possible scam. Run ! Cruises and Land Packages have to be bought for a specific date for it to be the real thing ! (4) And just when you “think” you have a deal (great price), call a local travel agent or cruise-only specialist if it’s a cruise, and if they can’t buy it for you, it’s 99%, most likely, NOT REAL ! All travel agents get the same rates ! Only larger volume cruise-only agencies can get you lower rates … (5) Treat yourself to following Expertise Travel Writers and let them tell you, as the consumer, what to be aware of “and” what to call a deal ! Oh well enough preaching ... At a $ 100 for 30 minutes, some days, I make more money fixing the travel, "after" consumers buy that "great deal on the net" ! Truthfully, some folks never learn, and I get repeat business this way ! Hey, you have money to burn, bring it on !