WASHINGTON -- The Internet has become a breeding ground for travel
rip-offs, and often the main targets of scams are seniors,
according to ASTA, which released a public service announcement
(PSA) on how to avoid travel scams.
"Traditionally, seniors have been a favorite target among scam
artists and now, with the proliferation of home PCs and the
Internet, these con [artists] have found still another venue from
which to approach their targets," said ASTA president Joe
Galloway.
The release of the PSA, which was available to the media through
television and radio stations nationwide, was timed to coincide
with National Consumer Protection Week.
Among the tips, ASTA suggests consumers stay away from
too-good-to-be-true offers, avoid giving out credit card numbers,
walk away from high-pressure sales presentations and always use a
professional travel agent.
Quoting figures from the National Consumers League, ASTA said
Internet auctions were the source of the the top-reported complaint
in 1998.
Other complaints included sweepstakes, telemarketing offers,
loan offers and Internet-access deals.