How to Spot the Hotel Pickup Travel Scam

1. Listen to what eager people have to say. At travel hubs like airports, bus stations or train stations, decoys often approach you and attempt to lure you into staying at their hotel by claiming substantial discounts or other offers. These discounts and offers will not exist when you get to the hotel and you will probably have to pay an increased rate.

2. Look out for the more sophisticated scams. You may be enticed to trade something of value before you leave for the hotel, or you'll have your valuables stolen while staying at the hotel.

3. Doubt the authenticity of uniformed and official-looking people who make claims about a bomb scare in an airport. The seemingly official authorities will likely say that you have to evacuate the airport and stay overnight at a complimentary hotel while they investigate the scene. When you get to the hotel, you'll have to pay a high rate to spend the night.

4. Watch out for people at travel hubs who claim to be employed by the hotel at which you are staying. These scammers will offer to drive you to your hotel as part of the hotel's service. However, they will instead take you to another hotel where you'll be forced to pay an increased rate while you try to figure out where you are.