Putnam: Plan To Travel Smart This Summer

April 11, 2015

Summer is just around the corner, and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam reminds consumers to be careful when making vacation plans.

“Consumers are often targeted with mailings, telephone calls or emails that offer vacation deals, and they should be cautious not to fall for travel-related scams,” said  Putnam.

Consumers can protect themselves from vacation scams by following these tips:

  • Find out if a travel company is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
  • Check to see if the company has any complaints, and if so, how they were resolved.
  • Read the entire contract before signing. Ask questions before signing.
  • Get a copy of the company’s cancellation and refund policies.
  • Use a credit card (not a debit card) when making a purchase. If there are issues with the service provided, credit card charges can be disputed.
  • Be skeptical of free vacation offers. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, protection and information. The call center is staffed with trained analysts who can respond to questions about programs and regulations under the department’s purview, provide information on a wide variety of topics or direct callers to the appropriate government agency.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News