HONOLULU (KHON2) – A warning to travelers — as summer adventures heat up, so do scams targeting vacationers. The Better Business Bureau is warning travelers about a fake website and call center posing as Expedia that has already cost consumers thousands of dollars.
According to BBB’s Cameron Nakashima, the BBB has received reports of travelers mistakenly modifying existing Expedia bookings through a lookalike site that closely resembles Expedia. The site — often found through online search ads — claims to offer flight and hotel reservations.
Several travelers reported booking flights or calling to modify tickets they thought were purchased through Expedia. But after payment, victims are left with fake confirmation numbers, no real bookings and no way to recover their money.
Reported losses range from $1,500 to $4,000.
So here are Nakashima’s tips to avoid these types of travel scams:
- When you need to make a reservation or edit a booking, start by going directly to official websites, not through search ads. Type the web address manually whenever possible. Or use the company’s official app. Or if you’re not sure, you can go to the company’s listing on BBB.org to find their official contact information.
- Keep your money safe. Whenever possible, make an online payment with a credit card so that it is easier to dispute charges if fraud occurs.
- If ordering tickets through a third-party booking service or an airline you are not familiar with, always research the company at BBB.org to see ratings and complaints before making a purchase.