Winter is still here and many of us would do just about anything to find some warm weather. Enter the cruise scam. Many of these trips to nowhere literally pop up online as a “free” incentive or a can’t-miss deal. What they really are is an attempt to steal your information or your money.  

Here are three tips for avoiding a cruise scam when shopping for your spring getaway. 

1. Beware of starting with a search engine: Scammers buy ads and use fake websites to appear at the top of results. Consider starting your search on trusted cruise line websites instead.

2. Check the source: If you receive unsolicited cruise offers, investigate the company to verify its legitimacy, ask questions and study the fine print before booking.

3. Pay with a credit card: If you’ve done your homework and are ready to make the investment, credit cards offer the strongest and most immediate fraud protection.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. 

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Click the link to fill out our online form or send an email to me@aarp.org. 

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.