Beware of phone calls or mailings promising you a free trip or a huge discount if you call a 900 number. Many times you will be told you must pay a fee to join a travel club or to access the deal, finding it’s not free at all.
To determine if a telemarketing deal is legitimate, the National Fraud Information Center (800-876-7060) suggests five questions for additional information.
1. Does the telemarketer say you have been awarded a trip?
2. Does the telemarketer ask for your credit card number? (Don’t give it over the phone unless you are convinced of its legitimacy.)
3. Does the caller ask for a deposit? (Don’t give one.)
4. Does the caller demand an immediate decision to get a special price?
5. Does the caller refuse to send written information?
For a free copy of Telemarketing Travel Fraud: Facts for Consumers, please call 877-438-4338.