Spring break scams abound, ruin plans
By Danielle Hannahan
The Badger Herald

As spring break creeps around the corner, many people will be looking forward to tons of sun and of course tons of fun.

But what these people won't see coming is the threat of spring break scams.

Every year, thousands of college students escape the stress of exams and cold weather by heading south for spring break.

But many students are tricked into buying deals on spring-break packages and end up being the victims of scams.

"Sometimes searching for the best deal can land students far from paradise and cost them more than they bargained for," said Jack E. Mannix, president of the Institute of Certified Travel Agents.

"That's why it is so important they proceed with caution as an educated consumer," he added.

"Charter flights are a big concern because they are cheaper, so students will buy them, but at the same time these are the same flights that cause students' trips to be delayed," said Deanna Schuppel, branch manager for Student Travel Association.

UW students who have experienced problems during spring break say these scams are a growing concern.

UW juniors Brittany Klaus and Andrea Spaetti went through STA travel for their trip to Negril, Jamaica, last spring break and experienced problems that took up a day and a half of their vacation time.

"The company STA was using fell through the day before we left and they didn't even know where our tickets were," Klaus said.

"The best advice I have for students is to do your homework before you go," she added.

Spaetti said the biggest problem with spring break is that college students are so naïve.

"I think this is a big problem because we are vulnerable and therefore are easy targets for spring-break companies," she said.

UW junior Jim Weber, another victim of spring-break scams, is preparing for yet another tropical getaway; he did his homework this year.

"I would never have even thought of going through another spring-break mess, but after talking to several friends about the company, I feel really confident in my trip," he said.

ICTA recommends students take precautions before choosing a spring-break company, like performing a background check on the company and the airline.

Schuppel tells students to be wary and careful about choosing a spring-break operator.

"Do your research ahead of time," she said. "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."