Beware of travel scams
Canadians are eager to get away and thieves are eager to take advantage of that. Online travel sites are playing on Canadians’ desires to book cheap airfare or a good deal on a cottage rental this summer.
“If someone is offering a vacation rental through social media and they are demanding you pay in cash or with a wire transfer, I wouldn't trust it," said Tony Anscombe, Chief security expert with ESET.
Online fraud has increased during the pandemic and a new survey by TransUnion found that in the digital world, financial services fraud increased 217 per cent and travel and leisure fraud increased by 49 per cent.
“The rate of attempted fraud is not just financial services; it is across different vectors," said Anne-Marie Kelly, spokesperson for TransUnion.
You could also land in trouble when you try to book what appears to be a deal on airfare, especially with an online travel company you have not dealt with before.
“We are getting reports on BBB Scam Tracker that consumers are stumbling into these fake websites,” said Karla Laird, senior manager for media and communications for the Better Business Bureau Mainland B.C.
Look-alike websites piggyback on legitimate company names. Even if they have a secure URL and list an actual physical address, it could be a fraud.
“Some of them will put contact information, even if it’s not legitimate, but just to give you that look and feel of legitimacy,” explained Laird.
McLaughlin on Your Side has exposed this ruse before by visiting Vancouver addresses listed by fraudulent websites. The businesses did not exist.
The bottom line: Know who you are dealing with, don’t communicate off the rental or booking platform, don’t pay with a wire or e-transfer and beware of high-pressure sales tactics to get you to pay now.
Once you have made a booking on a legitimate website and want to make changes, you should go back to the website to find the correct number to call.
Some consumers who have done a general online search for customer service numbers have landed on fake ones and ended up giving out personal information and handing over money for upgrades or changes they never get, giving their money to thieves.
With files from CTV’s Pat Foran
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.