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Warning for Visitors Booking Rooms for 2010 Vancouver Olympics

1/28/2010

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January 28, 2010 - As British Columbia prepares to welcome the world to the 2010 Winter Games, the B.C. Government, Better Business Bureau and British Columbia Consumer Protection are reminding International visitors to be careful and do their homework before booking vacation rentals.

Online classified advertisements have made it easier for people to find things like home rentals. However, the listings are not regulated or vetted, and prone to scams. People seeking accommodations should be wary if:
  • The supplier requires a substantial deposit before handing over the keys or even showing the home. Don’t pay any money before inspecting the home, inside and out.  If you cannot travel early enough to inspect the property, ask for a contract outlining all terms, details and conditions.
  • The supplier asks the renter to wire money through wire transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram. Money sent via wire transfer service is extremely difficult to retrieve. Once the scammers have picked it up, there is little recourse – if any – for getting the money back.
  • The supplier is located elsewhere and prefers to communicate via email. For example, a scammer might say they have just been relocated out of the country. Don’t believe them.
  • The deal sounds too good to be true. Scammers will often list a rental for a very low price to lure victims. Find out how comparable listings are priced. If the rental comes in suspiciously low, walk away.
  • Another tip for consumers is to pay with a credit card if possible, as credit card purchases often offer the protection of a ‘chargeback’. Consumers may be able to cancel or reverse a credit card transaction and its associated interest charges in cases where there is evidence that the goods and services purchased were not provided to the consumer.
Resources for consumers looking to book accommodations:
An official website offers a variety of resources at www.2010destinationplanner.com. The website lists hotels, bed and breakfasts, private home rentals and rooms on cruise ships.

When booking accommodation through a third-party provider, potential renters should check to see if the travel agent or wholesaler is licensed with the province's Consumer Protection department at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.

If a consumer has suffered a loss and did book through a licensed B.C. travel agent or wholesaler, they can contact Consumer Protection BC at  info@consumerprotectionbc.ca.

Travel and accommodation disputes:
If consumers purchased travel services through a licensed B.C. travel agent or wholesaler and did not receive the services they paid for, they can contact their insurance or credit card provider.  If they are unsuccessful, they may be eligible for reimbursement from B.C.'s Travel Assurance Fund for consumers.

See www.consumerprotectionbc.ca for information about the fund.
Tourism BC also offers an information and reservation service that also deals with any disputes involving Tourism BC-Approved Accommodation, at  www.hellobc.com.

Customer complaints may be processed by telephone, fax or mail. However, Tourism BC does not pursue complaints regarding refund issues.

For any other potential complaints against a company, consumers can file a dispute with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.

If you believe that you are a victim of fraud, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre (‘PhoneBusters’) at phonebusters.com.

# # #
Founded in 1928, Connecticut BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. BBB offers objective advice and a wide range of education on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses. Today, 128 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than three million local and national businesses and charities. For more advice on finding companies and businesses, start your search with trust at www.bbb.org.Howard Schwartz, Communications Director, 203-269-2700, hschwartz@ct.bbb.org
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