It is here again CRUISE SCAM! BEWARE!

Thinking of escaping the cold for more tropical weather? Cruises are a popular way to travel to warmer waters, and enjoy relaxing time with family and friends. Before you set sail, make sure the company you’re dealing with holds water. The Better Business Bureau fields thousands of cruise-related complaints each year, and there are a number of scammers and fraudulent businesses that prey on would-be vacationers. Here’s the story of how one cruise line, Caribbean Cruise (not affiliated with Royal Caribbean) exploited customers in Fort Lauderdale, Fl., according to NBC News. “The worst thing is, they don’t tell you the truth,” said one victim. Check out the video below for the details. - See more at: http://www.bbb.org/blog/2015/02/let-these-cruise-scams-sail-away/#sthash.uVkqe21p.dpuf

BBB has also warned of scam texts from “vacafantasy,” claiming you’ve won a “free” cruise. The message asks you to dial 407-476-0973, so you can verify and have your reward sent to you. If you call, the “agent” will tell you about a “free” cruise you have won. If you do receive this message, delete it, and inform your local BBB. What can you do to make sure you cruise on by tropical vacation scams, and enjoy the real thing instead? Make sure your trip doesn’t go under with these tips from CBS and BBB. You’ve won, but you didn’t enter a contest. It’s highly unlikely you’ll win the lottery, a contest, or a free cruise, even if you did enter. Consider any offer suspicious if it claims you’ve won something without even submitting an entry. Make sure you’re booking with a reliable company. You can check out businesses on bbb.org, where you can see a record of complaints and other information. If you look up Carribbean Cruise, you can see an “F” rating, and thousands of complaints—a good indicator that your money might not be well spent. A quick Google search is a good idea, too. Don’t give into pressure. If someone insists that an offer is “going fast” or is a “one-time deal,” it’s often an indicator that they’re trying to push you into making a quick decision. Scammers often prey on emotions, whether it’s excitement, or fear of “missing out” on a good deal. Don’t be fooled! You can always walk away or hang up your phone. If it’s too good to be true, it usually is. It’s an age-old rule of thumb, but it holds true. If a deal seems impossibly lucky, it most likely means there’s a big catch. - See more at: http://www.bbb.org/blog/2015/02/let-these-cruise-scams-sail-away/#sthash.uVkqe21p.dpuf   #RoyalWow