Whether you're heading home or you're embarking on a vacation after the Christmas holiday Tuesday, you won't be alone on the roads, or while trying to get a hotel room during your travels.
Scams can happen any time of year, including the holidays, and Dottie Callina with the Better Business Bureau told AccessWDUN that there are several hotel scams out their aimed at visitors.
A popular scam involves a late night phone call. "If you're staying in a hotel and it's the middle of the night, and someone calls stating they're from the front desk - first of all, that's suspicious unless they're calling to tell you there's an emergency, but if there was an emergency, someone outside of the front desk would be calling - what they particularly do for this scam is ask for credit card information and say that there's a problem with the credit card they have on file for you," said Callina. "They may say it was declined, they need to reverify payment information, or they lost all financial information and they have to have it back by a specific time and that's why they're calling you so early in the morning."
Callina said if it happens to you, hang up and go down to concierge yourself to confirm everything is in order.
A fake website is another thing to be aware of when booking your hotel or making any travel arrangements online. Callina said if you type in the web URL and accidentally mistype, you may end up on a "spoofed" website that looks legitimate, but isn't.
"Once they get your credit card information, you'll be a victim of financial theft, plus you're not going to have a room booked at all."
Your credit card and personal information can also be picked up by scammers while you're in your hotel room through the fake take-out menu scam. Callina said that's when a victim will order from what looks like a real restaurant through a take out menu in the room, but instead, scammers will take your credit card and personal information, and never deliver any food.
And, Callina urges travelers to get and keep receipts to ensure proof of payment, especially for those who prefer to pay with cash. Callina warned that, in some instances, an employee has pocketed the cash instead of applying it towards the customer's bill, resulting in the customer paying twice.
Callina and the BBB strongly encourage consumers to have access to a credit card for purchases like hotel rooms, and for activities like shopping online. Callina said credit cards protect against fraudulent transactions, and while not everyone has access to a credit card, or is eligible for one, Callina suggests a secured credit card for those who either don't want a credit card or are struggling with their credit, since cash is loaded on the secured credit card similarly to debit card.
"That way, you and the bank both know you can only spend as much money as you put in," said Callina. "These do act as regular credit cards. They can be disputed."
Lastly, those who are headed out to celebrate the new year need to know about AAA's Tow 2 Go program. Callina said it's essentially a safety net for those in certain states, including Georgia, who have had too much to drink and need a ride home, but don't have a cab or ride share for whatever reason.
"This applies to everyone. Tow2Go Truck will transport a driver home or somewhere safe within 10 miles of where they are," said Callina. "So if you feel you are too inebriated to drive, please for the sake of others on the roadways and for the sake of yourself, please call someone to get you home safely, whether it's Uber, Lyft or Tow2Go."
Tow2Go is available during the holiday season, starting Christmas Day and running through New Year's Eve. Up to two people can be transported and there are no appointments.
The number for Tow 2 Go is 1-800-2TOW-2GO.
