Attorney General Tim Griffin has issued a warning to the people of Arkansas about the prevalence of summer travel scams and the need for caution while making travel arrangements. With summer vacations approaching, scammers are looking to take advantage of unsuspecting travelers and ruin their much-anticipated trips.
Griffin highlighted several common travel scams Arkansans should be wary of. The first scam involves third-party booking websites. Consumers who use these platforms to book flights, hotels, rental cars, or other travel services may become targets for scammers. After booking, fraudsters contact consumers directly, posing as representatives of the legitimate company, and attempt to extract personal financial information. Griffin emphasized legitimate companies would never ask for such information over the phone.
Another scam to watch out for is the ticket sale scam. Festivals and concerts are popular summer events, and scammers capitalize on the high demand for tickets by offering them at discounted prices. Unfortunately, these tickets turn out to be fake, leaving consumers disappointed and out of pocket when they arrive at the event.
Gasoline scams are also prevalent during the summer. Scammers approach unsuspecting individuals claiming they have run out of gas and money. They request around $40 to fill up their tank and promise to repay the money, often offering to mail a check. However, the chances of receiving repayment are slim. Griffin advised individuals to refuse to give money to these scammers or offer to purchase fuel from a nearby gas station if it is within a short distance.
In the realm of rideshare services, scammers pose as legitimate drivers for services like Uber or Lyft. They approach potential passengers and inform them a previous trip was canceled, making them available for a ride. However, they insist on being paid in cash. Griffin stressed genuine rideshare drivers do not require cash payments and urged travelers to remain cautious. He also highlighted any driver claiming an “outage” preventing them from accepting payment via the official rideshare app should be treated as a red flag. Cashless transactions are one of the key benefits of using rideshare services.
The Attorney General also warned about the fake front desk phone call scam. Scammers make unsolicited calls to hotel rooms, often during the late hours of the night, claiming there has been a computer glitch and requesting credit card information for verification. Griffin advised hanging up immediately and contacting the front desk directly to confirm the legitimacy of the call.
In addition to highlighting these scams, Griffin provided essential travel tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable vacation. He advised individuals to put a travel alert on their debit or credit cards to prevent potential issues or scams while away. Using a credit card instead of a debit card was recommended due to the additional protections available and the ease of disputing unauthorized charges. Griffin cautioned against posting travel plans or updates on social media, as it could inform criminals the person’s house is empty. Furthermore, he suggested withdrawing cash from ATMs located within financial institutions rather than standalone ATMs to minimize the risk of card information theft.
For more information on safe summer travel, consumer-related issues, or to file a consumer complaint, Arkansans are encouraged to visit the Arkansas Attorney General’s official website at ArkansasAG.gov. Individuals can also contact the Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982 or via email at oag@arkansasag.gov.
Attorney General Tim Griffin emphasized the importance of being vigilant and cautious during the summer travel season. By staying informed about common travel scams and following the provided tips, Arkansans can protect themselves
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