You’ve meticulously planned every detail of your winter escape ― researched the perfect destination, curated an Instagram-worthy itinerary, selected accommodations that promise an unforgettable experience. Then a scam ruins everything.
Travel scams are a predatory problem, and fraudsters have become creative in their methods. This is especially true when it comes to winter vacations, when people are booking seasonal excursions and festive trips and are easily duped.
In fact, there’s one big scam that captures people every year ― and if you’re booking a winter ski trip, you’ll want to be on the lookout for it. Here’s what to know:
Scammers often market fake ski passes, equipment and more this time of year.
If you’re one of the millions of people who take a ski trip each year, it can be tempting to scour for cheaper tickets for lifts and rental equipment, since the prices are usually high during prime season. But travelers should be vigilant when booking ski experiences, as scammers are increasingly targeting unsuspecting tourists with attractive but fraudulent deals.
After finding a seemingly bargain-priced equipment rental agency in Switzerland on Google, Monica Patel told HuffPost she was devastated when she never received her rented gear and lost her initial investment, forcing her to purchase expensive last-minute equipment. Her example is a cautionary tale for winter travelers.
“My partner and I booked rental equipment for our first ski trip online and were really excited because it was cheaper than what our friends had previously paid,” she said. “When we tried to contact the company in the morning to pick it up, we never got through and lost our money. Now, I rather pay more but have the comfort of knowing I will receive what I paid for.”
“Rather than putting your faith in a random seller on Craigslist or eBay, you should always book through reputable sources, like the resort’s official website and known accommodation providers,” said Dean Van Es, founder and CEO of Fast Cover Travel Insurance.
According to Cameron Temple, owner of the Luxury Chalet Company, a luxury ski chalet rental agency throughout the European Alps, fraudsters utilize Google ads to distract consumers from Airbnb and other platforms and deal with them directly. Once you’re on their website, there will often be red flags like incorrect property names, cheaper rates and unofficial addresses or telephone numbers. If you’re not looking carefully, you…
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