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Fiascos and Fixes
Consumer reporter and ombudsman columnist
A shady Airbnb host charged former guests of his Parisian vacation rental $3,500 for a coffee stain. But even more shocking than that outrageous payment request was Airbnb’s response to it.
Despite the host having no evidence of damages to his vacation rental, Airbnb approved his claim.
Fake Carnival Cruise Line customer service centers are scamming passengers into giving away their personal information and money. Here’s how to spot these bad actors — and protect your vacation dollars.
Two Carnival Cruise Line passengers missed their cruise because of a traffic accident on the way to the port. Now they are wondering how to get their full refund.
But are they owed anything?
That’s the question for today.
Two more cruise ship passengers say they’ve been scammed during port stops in Nassau, Bahamas. However, the remarkably similar details shared by each of these solo travelers may leave you scratching your head.
Are there dangerous schemes lurking in beauty shops along Bay Street, or are these simply cases of extreme buyer’s remorse?
You decide.
Here are the latest cruise ship passengers to report their unpleasant experiences after accepting free facials in Nassau.
American Airlines passenger and frequent traveler June Lee recently checked his sturdy aluminum suitcase on a cross-country flight. Although Lee’s much-loved 2-year-old designer bag had successfully weathered many trips worldwide, it would not survive this journey.
When American Airlines reunited Lee with the $1,700 suitcase at baggage claim in New York, it was destroyed. In fact, the luggage looked like it had been run over by an aircraft instead of transported inside one.
A steady stream of complaints from consumers charged for rental car repairs flows into the Consumer Rescue helpline each week. Most of these rental car customers are sure someone else caused the damage they’re being asked to pay for. Unfortunately, many of the bewildered travelers have no proof to support their assertion.
Then there’s Avis customer Emma B.
Emma’s was one of the strangest car rental complaints I’ve ever received. Given that I’ve investigated thousands of unusual cases during my decade of work in Consumer Advocacy Land, that speaks volumes.
Expensive, vacation-ruining travel scams are popping up everywhere this summer. Travelers must be on the lookout for predators running money-draining schemes before, during, and even after a trip is complete.
But there is good news.
You can outsmart the bad actors whose only wish is to relieve you of your hard-earned travel dollars. By familiarizing yourself with the latest scams aimed at tourists, you’ll be able to stop the thieves in their tracks.
Here are the top travel scams and schemes to avoid this summer.
An Airbnb host sent Janet Reel a surprise $790 damage bill… three weeks after checking out of her vacation rental. Reel says she left the property in perfect condition and considers the accusation outrageous.
After sending Ronald Brown a broken television, Walmart promised him a full refund as soon as he returned it. But months later, the retail giant adjusted its offer in a way Brown never expected. Instead of $1,297 cash, Walmart sent him a $10 online coupon and called it even.
Fraudulent repair bills aren’t just sent to customers of traditional rental car companies. Heidi Schiller found this out recently after a 24-hour car-sharing experience with Turo. Her vehicle host, Ken, acknowledged multiple pre-existing scratches on his Tesla before Heidi took the wheel.
Ken assured his renter that the damage to the car wasn’t her problem to worry about. So Heidi didn’t worry. That is, until a few days later when Turo sent her a $640 repair bill for the vehicle.
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© 2025 Consumer Rescue / Michelle Couch-Friedman
