Michigan AG Reveals Urgent Summer Travel Scam Warnings

You would like to think that as time goes on people would get better at spotting scammers and the tricks they try to pull, but unfortunately they always seem to be one step ahead of their victims.

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Recently there's been an update on scams targeting Michiganders who are looking forward to making summer travel plans.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has released a list of summer travel tips to help Michiganders avoid common scams.

Summer Travel Plan Scams Targeting People In Michigan

Attorney General Dana Nessel shared these important tips to follow when it comes to booking your summer travel.

Research agents and booking sites: Verify phone numbers and websites independently rather than relying on web search results. Check reviews, seek personal recommendations and consult the Better Business Bureau as well as the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team for information.

Get promises in writing: Before providing your payment information, request that all agreements be provided in writing, including any special requests or terms.

Read contracts carefully: Pay close attention to fine print, fees, and service charges, especially for “all-inclusive” deals. Make copies of all documents to dispute any unexpected fees.

Pay with a credit card: Avoid paying for travel with cash, checks, or prepaid cards. Use a credit card, if possible, preferably a designated travel credit card for booking flights, hotels, and other expenses. Credit cards offer better fraud and cancellation protections than other payment methods.

Beware of fraudulent listings on vacation rental sites: Scammers can hijack legitimate listings or create fake properties on vacation home rental websites like Airbnb and Vrbo to lure travelers into making payments for rentals that don’t exist. Always book through verified sources.

Read More: Michigan Drivers Are Being Targeted With This Smishing Scam

Common Travel Scams Targeting People in Michigan

Scammers constantly devise new schemes.

Here are the top four scams targeting Michiganders that you should avoid.

Online Booking Scams: Ensure you are booking directly on the hotel or vacation rental’s official website. Third-party booking sites may charge hidden fees, fail to honor special requests, or even fail to make reservations.

“Pizza Flyer” Scam: Flyers slipped under hotel doors that advertise local food delivery may be fraudulent. When ordering, never give your credit card information to unknown sources.

Fake Front Desk Calls: Scammers may call your hotel room claiming to be from the front desk and request your credit card information due to a “computer glitch.” Always verify by calling the front desk directly.

Bait-and-Switch Tactics: Be wary of offers with unrealistically low prices that result in additional charges or pressure to buy more expensive services.

Read More: How to Spot the West Michigan Jury Duty Phone Scam

Hopefully these tips and information will help you have a fun-filled summer without getting burned by scammers.