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TRAVEL SCAM
Destinations Unlimited Inc. has received phone calls from local
residents concerned of a possible travel scam. The company placing
the call identifies themselves as an employee of Destinations Unlimited
and indicates the recipient has been selected to purchase a membership in
their travel club claiming to offer travel related discounts and specials.
Further research shows there are many complaints regarding travel scams
with this telemarketing company. The Attorney General's office has
been contacted.
Destinations Unlimited Inc., in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is in no way
affiliated with this telemarketing company. We do not sell memberships for
our service, and do not place soliciting phone calls.
Destinations Unlimited Inc., in Cedar Rapids, offers the following
suggestions to avoid potential travel related scams:
· Ask
detailed questions and get it in writing. Get
the names of airlines, hotels, car rental companies and travel providers.
Consider contacting these businesses directly to verify
arrangements. Always ask for confirmation of your travel
arrangements in writing and ensure you receive copies of cancellation and
refund policies.
· Pay with a credit card and
avoid deals that require you to book 60 or 90 days in advance.
Credit card companies may allow consumers to dispute a charge within 60 or
90 days of receiving the first bill. Check your company credit card terms
to find out exactly how much time you have to dispute a charge. Some
companies require booking and payments months in advance; therefore the 60
or 90 days to dispute an issue with your credit card company has come- and
gone.
· Free is not always cheap.
Some pitches go as far as saying consumers have won a "free"
trip and must call a number to claim prizes, while others offer
"free" travel club memberships, allegedly worth thousands of
dollars, but are ultimately worth nothing.
· Be
wary of travel offers that make big promises with little or no detail. Offers
that require that you pay immediately to secure the low price is a reason
to be suspicious. Ask for a phone number so you can call back after
considering their offer. If they tell you it is only available
during your call, this is the sign of a scam.
Destinations Unlimited Inc has been locally owned and operated in Cedar
Rapids, Iowa, since 1984.
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