caribbean cruise scam

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Is Caribbean Cruises a scam?

We keep getting calls from Caribbean Cruises saying we won a cruise, but no one remembers entering for one. It's been a long time and they keep calling, we just ignore the calls, so is this a scam? Why won't they just give up and stop calling us if it is?

Caleigh, you've already asked this question.
Yes, it IS a scam, without a doubt.
My parents have told me of these kinds of happenings to other people before, and if you did not register yourself into some sort of contest, then it IS scam, beyond a doubt.
These kinds of companies only say that it's for free, but of course, they lie; here's an article about your situation:

"Congratulations! You have just won a free cruise to the Bahamas! Now, if you'll just give me your credit card number, to cover our handling fees and taxes, I'll send you all the details on your trip!" If this sounds too good to be true, it is. Here's the most common scenario: the scam operator will likely charge the amount to your credit card, collect the money and be gone before you know it. By the time you call back to see where your tickets are, the telephones will usually be disconnected, there will be no forwarding address and you will have to dispute the charge with your credit card company. This is just one example of the many travel scams that are operating throughout the United States today. But, there are many things you can do to protect yourself. Here are a few tips:

Be very cautious about dealing with any travel company that calls you or sends you a certificate in the mail for a trip that sounds too good to be true.

Do not ever give out your credit card number to a telephone solicitor, unless you have initiated the call and you know the company that you are dealing with.

Never send cash, checks or money orders to a travel company that you do not know, unless all the details of the trip are supplied to you in writing first.

Any time you pay by check or money order for a trip, the check should be made payable to a company name, not to an individual.

Proceed with caution if you are dealing with a high-pressure salesperson. A red flag should go up if the person tells you that you must decide on the spot.

If you cannot purchase the same trip, at a similar price, from any reputable, local travel agency, it may be a scam.

Be very careful if the company requires you to select several departure dates in the future, or if you must wait until a later date to travel.

Check to see if the travel agency belongs to any of the following organizations: ARC, IATA, ASTA, ARTA, CLIA or NACOA. All legitimate travel agencies belong to at least one or two of these groups. If the agency doesn't seem to know what any of these associations are, you should be very suspicious.

Contact your local Better Business Bureau and the Consumer Protection Division of your State Attorney General's Office to see if any complaints have been registered about the travel company. You might also want to check with these same organizations in the state where the travel company is based.

Unfortunately, the travel industry is not well-regulated, and in most states anyone can just print up business cards, hang out a shingle and start selling travel. The majority of states do not require any type of registration, certification, licensing or consumer protection measures for travel agencies, although this is beginning to change. So it is crucial to know who you are dealing with.

And, with all the cruises being marketed through the various online services and the Internet, it's critical to be discriminating in cyberspace as well these day. An 800-number is a cinch to obtain and you are taking big risks when dealing with a person at the end of a telephone you don't know and can't visit in person. You may be dealing with one of the top cruise-only agencies in the country, or with a local franchisee of a large full-service travel agency, or with a very knowledgeable cruise specialist at a small travel agency. But on the other hand, it may be an inexperienced person working off of their kitchen table, and you have no way of knowing anything about that person or the company they represent.

For your best protection against either a dishonest seller of travel, or against possible supplier bankruptcy, always pay for your cruise by credit card. Plus, third-party travel insurance (available from your travel agent) is a precaution against supplier bankruptcy. If you purchase the optional insurance offered by the cruise lines, you will not be covered if the cruise line goes into default. This is the main reason that the insurance from the supplier is almost always less expensive than the third-party insurance.

Your best bet for finding a good cruise travel agent (and the best prices) is to talk to friends, co-workers, relatives and associates and ask them if they know of a good, reputable, local agent who specializes in cruises.

For more information about how to be a well-informed travel consumer, the American Society of Travel Agents (the largest and most powerful travel trade organization in the country) will send you a free pamphlet called "Avoiding Travel Problems." Just send a self-addressed, stamped envelope, plus a note requesting this b

Here's a Video about caribbean cruise scam:

Coastal Vacations Board of Directors are Running Part 1

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