THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – WEDnEsDAy, nOVEmbER 22, 2023 Page 9 BBB Tip: Fly safely on your vacation A re you thinking about traveling by air for a few days? Before clicking the button to buy tickets, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends the following: · Make sure everyone who is traveling has the appropriate ID. The new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is May 7, 2025; however, make certain parties traveling together have a current compliant ID as required by each state. · Read all cancellation policies carefully. Not all situations require a full refund of the ticket value and fees if your fl ight is canceled. Each online travel agency, airline and broker is diff erent. · Consider trip insurance. Have a complete understanding of what the policy does and does not cover. · Be an informed traveler. Refer to the Department of Transportation website at www.transportation.gov/airconsumer for details on consumer issues, fi ling complaints BBB Study: Growth of gift card scams causes retailers to innovate solutions A s the holiday shopping season grows near, consumers should be extra alert to scams. More people reported gift card fraud to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam TrackerSM this year, with a 50% increase compared to last year. Online shoppers were hit the hardest. Since BBB issued its 2021 study, “Gift Card Payment Scams, BBB reveals why scammers love gift cards,” scammers have doubled down on gift cards as a method to steal money from consumers while the public embraces digital versions of the cards. For years, scammers preferred a gift card as payment because it’s treated like cash. If a victim is convinced to hand over the 16-digit code and PIN, the money is instantly in the scammer’s pockets. With the introduction of mobile wallets and virtual gift card compatibility over the years, gift cards are more convenient, allowing money to be shuttled across the world in a matter of seconds. Some industry partnerships BBB STUDY | SEE PAGE 16 and other aviation information. · Avoid hidden fees. Read the fi ne print! Flying is one of many aspects of your trip to consider. Here are some other travel-related resources from BBB: · Rental cars: Make your next car rental experience a little easier – www.bbb.org/article/tips/14087-bbb-tip-renting-a-car · Hotel rooms: Learn what to keep in mind when booking a hotel room at www.bbb.org/ article/tips/14155-bbb-tipbooking-a-hotel-room · Travel agents: Know what to look for in a travel agent and fi nd one near you – www. bbb.org/article/news-releases/18618-bbb-tip-travelagents During the holiday or any time of year, fi nd ways to travel safely and avoid scams at www.bbb.org/article/newsreleases/14079-bbb-tip-planning-your-next-vacation-ortrip. If you plan to travel to or from Canada, check for travel advisories at https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories. Remember to report any suspicious activities to BBB Scam Tracker at www.bbb.org/ scamtracker.
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