Spring Break: a student’s time for sun, fun, relaxation- and caution? Students should be suspicious of “bargain” or “free” vacation promotions offered around this time of year. Hidden charges and scams often end up costing students much more than if they purchased tickets themselves or through a travel agency, according to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office Web site.

“In 2005, the Attorney General’s Office received 450 complaints that were coded as travel, tourism or lodging related,” said Gail O’Connor, deputy press secretary for Illinois’ Attorney General’s office. “We generally see spring break complaints falling into two categories: the travel promoter disappears, or the promoter’s policies are incredibly stringent. Consumers need to realize that there are few legitimate businesses that can afford to give away products and services of real value or to substantially undercut another company’s price.”

The University’s Student Legal Services sees about 15 to 20 travel scams each year, said director Thomas Betz.

Fraudulent companies target college students because they are a “perfect market,” he said.

“For most students, even if they run into debt, mom and dad will not let their credit be destroyed, so (they) will pay,” he said. “The average student has a credit card and at least a $1,000 limit on it. On $1,000, you can do a pretty good Spring Break.”

Betz said no travel destinations are immune from rip offs.

“Wherever you have creative minds, you can have scams,” he said.

Scammers use various techniques to swindle their customers, but students can take certain precautions to reduce the risk of being scammed. Students hesitant to book their own reservations can contact a travel agent.

“We’re licensed, which is huge, because we have liability insurance,” said Lisa Hettinger, owner of L&L; Travel, 715 S. 6th St. “We deal with companies that are reputable, and that we know are going to be handing you confirmed documents.”

Betz said students who book reservations themselves should use common sense. Prices companies offer for airline tickets and hotel accommodations are often too low.

“My personal rule of thumb is that if it sounds too good to be true, it’s too good to be true,” he said.

Make sure to get the company’s phone number and their address, as well as the hotel information. The company can then be tracked down on the Internet, proven as a real entity.

If the company says they operate only on the Internet or though a post office box, hang up the phone, Betz said. If the phone is consistently busy or disconnected, the company may not exist anymore.

Betz recommends checking with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the company promoting the deal.

“If there are no complaints, that can be almost as scary as if there are a lot of complaints,” Betz said.

This might mean that the company changes its name every Spring Break to appear new, he said.

“They change the name to protect the guilty,” Betz said.

Ask the company for the airline and flight number and get all information in writing.

Check with the hotel beforehand to see if a damage deposit is required at check in. Although not illegal, hotels often charge “astronomical” fees and then keep the whole deposit after any partying or damage regardless of size or offender, if observed by a hotel proprietor, he said.

“Attributing the damages of one group of people to everyone staying in the building, that’s outrageous, but it’s common during Spring Break,” Betz said.

Different countries sometimes have airport fees. Check with the returning airport to verify fees. Also, be aware of certain taxes and extra charges that might be in the fine print.

If a vacation results in a scam, students can contact Student Legal Services for help. The office will be open weekdays during break 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4: 30 p.m.

“The best way to deal with this stuff is to absolutely report it to us,” Betz said.

If an airline or hotel’s name is being used in the scam, Student Legal Services can contact the company and make them aware of the situation.

“American Airlines doesn’t want to be known as the carrier for con artists,” Betz said.

SLS can also file complaints with the Attorney General’s office in the occurring state and the American Association of Travel Agencies.

“I think students have gotten much smarter as consumers of this particular product,” Betz said. “They’ve become very aware of the fact that there are so many scam artists out there. You start developing a sixth sense for sleaze. If it feels like it’s sleazy, it’s sleazy.”