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Beware of Travel Scams

Travel Smart, Avoid Scams – Interactive Course
SHARED KNOWLEDGE Technical Solutions
Alpha Voyages TRAVEL

🛡️ Travel Smart, Avoid Scams

Interactive Course: Protect Yourself from Travel Fraud

What You’ll Learn

  • Common travel scams targeting seniors and how to spot them
  • Warning signs of fake passport services and travel deals
  • How to identify fraudulent vacation rentals and hotel scams
  • Safe booking practices for flights, hotels, and tours
  • What to do if you suspect you’ve encountered a scam
  • Tips for protecting your money and personal information while traveling

Course Features

  • Interactive lessons with Skit, your friendly tech guide
  • Real-world scam examples and case studies
  • Practice activities with instant feedback
  • Self-paced – learn at your own speed
  • No technical experience required
  • Works on any device – computer, tablet, or phone

Start Your Course Below

The interactive course will load below. Use the Next and Previous buttons to navigate through the lessons. Take your time – you can always come back and review!

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Welcome! I’m Skit!

Hey there! I’m so glad you’re here. Travel should be exciting and fun – not stressful or scary. Unfortunately, there are people out there who try to take advantage of travelers, especially seniors who are planning dream vacations.

But don’t worry! Together, we’re going to learn how to spot these scams and keep your money (and your vacation plans) safe.

Did you know that travel scams cost Americans over $100 million each year? Let’s make sure you’re not one of the victims!

Our Learning Goals

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

  • ✓ Recognize common travel scams before they happen
  • ✓ Identify red flags in travel deals and vacation offers
  • ✓ Protect your personal and financial information
  • ✓ Know who to contact if something seems suspicious
  • ✓ Book travel with confidence and peace of mind
Knowledge is power! Once you know what to look for, these scams become pretty easy to spot.

Why Do Scammers Target Seniors?

I wish I didn’t have to tell you this, but scammers specifically target seniors because:

  • 📊 Seniors often have retirement savings and good credit
  • 🎯 Many seniors are planning bucket-list trips and big vacations
  • ⏰ Retirees have more time to research travel deals online
  • 🤝 Seniors tend to be trusting and polite (which is wonderful, but scammers exploit this)
  • 💻 Some seniors are less familiar with online scam tactics
But here’s the good news: once you know their tricks, you’re already one step ahead! Let’s dive into the most common scams…

Scam #1: “Get Your Passport Fast!”

The Scam:

You’re planning a trip and realize your passport is expired (or you need one for the first time). You search online for “expedited passport service” and find a website promising to get your passport in just a few days for a fee.

The Reality:

These “third-party expediter” websites charge you hundreds of dollars extra for services you can get directly from the government. Some are complete scams that steal your personal information and money without providing any service at all.

Red Flags:

  • 🚩 Website URL doesn’t end in .gov
  • 🚩 Promises “guaranteed 24-hour service”
  • 🚩 Fees are much higher than official government fees ($130 for new passport)
  • 🚩 Pressure to pay immediately
Always go directly to travel.state.gov for passport services. It’s the ONLY official U.S. government website for passports!

Let’s Practice!

You need to renew your passport for an upcoming cruise. Which website should you use?

  • A) fastpassportsonline.com – “Get your passport in 24 hours!”
  • B) passportexpediters.net – “We handle everything for you!”
  • C) travel.state.gov – U.S. Department of State official website
  • D) quickpassport.org – “Trusted by thousands!”

Scam #2: “Amazing Deal! 7 Days in Hawaii for $299!”

The Scam:

You receive a phone call, email, or see a pop-up ad offering an unbelievable vacation package at an impossibly low price. All you need to do is pay a small “processing fee” or attend a “brief timeshare presentation.”

The Reality:

Either the trip doesn’t exist at all, or you’ll be stuck in high-pressure timeshare sales presentations for hours. The “hotel” might be far from advertised locations, in terrible condition, or have massive hidden fees.

Red Flags:

  • 🚩 Price is dramatically below market rates
  • 🚩 “Limited time offer – act now!”
  • 🚩 Requires upfront payment via wire transfer or gift cards
  • 🚩 Vague details about accommodations
  • 🚩 Can’t find independent reviews online
Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Legitimate travel deals exist, but they won’t pressure you or use sketchy payment methods!

Scam #3: Fake Vacation Rentals (Airbnb/VRBO Scams)

The Scam:

You find a beautiful vacation rental online with great photos and reviews. The “owner” asks you to pay outside the platform (Airbnb, VRBO) to “save on fees.” When you arrive, the property doesn’t exist or belongs to someone else.

The Reality:

Scammers steal photos from real listings and create fake ads. They pressure you to pay via wire transfer, Venmo, or gift cards. Once they have your money, they disappear.

Red Flags:

  • 🚩 Owner asks you to pay outside the booking platform
  • 🚩 Communication only via email or text (won’t talk on phone)
  • 🚩 Wants payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
  • 🚩 Listing was just posted with no reviews
  • 🚩 Price significantly lower than similar properties
  • 🚩 Owner claims to be “out of the country” and can’t meet in person
ALWAYS book and pay through the official platform (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.). These platforms offer protection if something goes wrong!

Let’s Practice Again!

You find a beach house rental on Airbnb. The owner sends you a message saying: “To avoid Airbnb fees, let’s handle payment directly. Send $2,000 via Zelle and I’ll send you the keys.” What should you do?

  • A) Send the payment – it will save money on fees
  • B) Report the message to Airbnb and only book through their platform
  • C) Negotiate a lower price since you’re paying directly
  • D) Ask to pay half now and half when you arrive

Other Common Travel Scams

Fake Hotel Booking Confirmations

You receive an email that looks like it’s from Hotels.com or Expedia with a “booking confirmation” you didn’t make. It contains a link to “cancel” the reservation – but clicking the link installs malware or steals your information.

Airline Ticket Scams

Fake airline websites that look almost identical to real ones (like “Unted.com” instead of “United.com”). You book a ticket that doesn’t exist.

Free Trip Contests

“Congratulations! You’ve won a free Caribbean cruise!” But you have to pay taxes and fees upfront. The trip never materializes.

The common thread? Scammers create urgency, offer deals that seem too good to be true, and push for payment through untraceable methods!

Your Protection Checklist

✓ Book with Trusted Sources

  • Use reputable travel agents like Alpha Voyages Travel
  • Stick to well-known booking platforms (Expedia, Hotels.com, official airline sites)
  • Always pay through the platform, never directly to “owners”

✓ Verify Before You Pay

  • Check website URLs carefully (look for .gov for government sites)
  • Read independent reviews on multiple sites
  • Google the company name + “scam” or “complaint”
  • Call the hotel directly to confirm your reservation

✓ Use Safe Payment Methods

  • Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards
  • Never pay via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
  • Be wary of anyone who insists on “cash only”

Let’s Review What We Learned!

Key Takeaways:

  • ✓ Scammers target seniors because of retirement savings and trust
  • ✓ Always use official government websites (.gov) for passports
  • ✓ If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is
  • ✓ Never pay for vacation rentals outside the booking platform
  • ✓ Use credit cards for better fraud protection
  • ✓ Verify bookings directly with hotels and airlines
  • ✓ Work with trusted travel professionals like Alpha Voyages
You’re almost done! Let’s test your knowledge with a quick final quiz to make sure you’re ready to travel safely!

Final Quiz: Test Your Knowledge!

Let’s see how much you’ve learned! Answer these questions to complete the course.

1. What is the ONLY official website for U.S. passport services?

  • A) passports.com
  • B) travel.state.gov
  • C) uspassports.org
  • D) fastpassports.net

2. Which payment method offers the BEST protection against fraud?

  • A) Wire transfer
  • B) Gift cards
  • C) Credit card
  • D) Cash

3. A vacation rental owner asks you to pay outside of Airbnb to “save on fees.” This is:

  • A) A great way to save money
  • B) A major red flag – likely a scam
  • C) Standard practice for vacation rentals
  • D) Only okay if they have good reviews

4. You receive an email about a “7-day Caribbean cruise for $199!” What should you do first?

  • A) Book immediately before the deal expires
  • B) Forward it to all your friends
  • C) Be skeptical – research the company and look for reviews
  • D) Call the number in the email to learn more

5. What’s the safest way to book travel?

  • A) Click on ads promising amazing deals
  • B) Use third-party sites that require wire transfers
  • C) Work with reputable travel agents or official booking platforms
  • D) Book through social media marketplace ads

About This Course

This course was created through a partnership between Shared Knowledge Technical Solutions and Alpha Voyages Travel. Our goal is to empower seniors with the knowledge they need to travel safely and confidently in today’s digital world.

About Shared Knowledge Technical Solutions

Founded by Jerry Hickman, a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer with over 40 years of IT experience, SKTS serves the Winchester, VA community with a mission to educate, not just fix technology problems. We believe that everyone deserves to use technology safely and confidently.

About Alpha Voyages Travel

Led by MaryJune Williams, Alpha Voyages Travel specializes in creating unforgettable vacation experiences for travelers of all ages. With personalized service and attention to detail, Alpha Voyages helps you plan safe, legitimate, and memorable trips.

Thank You for Learning With Us!

We hope this course helps you travel with confidence and peace of mind. For more information or personalized assistance, please reach out to us!

Shared Knowledge Technical Solutions

Computer support, tech education, and cybersecurity services

Phone: 540.303.2410

Website: sharedknowledgets.com

Email: jerry@sharedknowledgets.com

Alpha Voyages Travel

Personalized travel planning and vacation experiences

Contact: MaryJune Williams

Website: alphavoyages.com