New SCAM Alert: U.S. Government Issues WARNING to Spring Break Travelers

By Colette Langley Leave a Comment

You know we LOVE deals here at Disney Food Blog, but we have a HUGE warning for you ahead of the spring break travel season!

Don’t fall victim to a spring break nightmare!

We don’t want your spring break trip to turn into a nightmare, so make sure you check out this spring break travel warning.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a consumer alert on March 12th, 2024, regarding spring break travel. The FTC warns of scammers that are promoting “great deals” and “free” vacations to steal your money. We know it is tempting to want to take advantage of all the travel deals that are out there, and while you should check-out deals, we also want to make sure you are doing so carefully.

We all deserve a good vacation, don’t let scammers ruin that.

Unfortunately, there are scammers out there that are offering hard-to-resist deals on your dream vacation. Not only could your spring break turn into a travel nightmare, but you could also lose money in the process. Have no fear though! We are here with a few tips to make sure your spring break is AMAZING!

Spring break crowds in Animal Kingdom

So how should you avoid falling victim to a travel scam? First, do some research. The FTC recommends searching the travel company or agent with the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint” and checking out the search results. We know how much people like to complain on the internet, so this is an easy and effective way to do some basic research before you sign-up for a deal.

We want you to be relaxing!

Second, don’t send any money or sign any contracts until you know ALL the details. We are talking EXACT addresses of where you will be staying and making sure you have copies of their cancellation and return policies. These scam companies will often try to be vague about specific details, so be careful and make sure you have all the facts before you hand over any of your money!

Spring break should be a great time

Finally, DO NOT pay with a wire transfer, gift card, or with cryptocurrency. If the travel company or agent you are working with requests payment in one of these forms, run the other way! The FTC says utilizing these payments methods are “a sure sign of a scam.”

We always want your vacations to be a wonderful experience and for the best price. While there are great deals out there from reputable places, we always want you to do research and double-check information so you can fully enjoy your vacation.

Stay tuned to DFB for more travel news!

Check out the spring break crowds at Disney World this week!

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WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

What are your spring break plans? Let us know in the comments!