BBB Warns of Spring Break Scams

ZANESVILLE,OH – The Better Business Bureau is warning spring breakers to beware.

As the warm weather rolls in and students prepare for spring break getaways; the BBB wants you to know about some of the most common spring break scams.

Judy Dollison, President of the BBB of Central Ohio, said scammers capitalize on current events and trends, and spring break will be no different.

“We know there are going to be various forms of scams related to that travel,” Dollison said. “Some of the really popular ones we see are vacation rental scams. We all know that it’s easy to connect directly with property owners who advertise their vacation homes. But scammers really take advantage of that; they will either take a property that does not exist or they will hijack someone else’s real property and make it look like their own.”

Dollison said with these types of scams, the scammer creates a sense of urgency. That you’ll miss out on a ‘great opportunity’ if you don’t book immediately.

She also provided some advice if you or someone you know falls victim to one of these scams.

“The best way, we say, to avoid scams, and this applies to many different scams, is to do your research,” Dollison said. “It’s better to start early, you don’t want to be in that last minute panic, that you maybe do some things that you otherwise might not do and not take the time to research.”

If you feel you or someone you know has fallen victim to a scam you can report it at BBB.org.