A few customers have reported receiving calls from representatives claiming to be from Insight telling customers they have won a free vacation and then asking for their credit card information.

Please be aware that this is another form of telemarketing fraud and has nothing to do with Insight.

The fraudulent travel telemarketer is also aware that you've started to make vacation plans.  A caller who says "Congratulations, you've been selected for a world class Florida/Caribbean vacation" is a caller you should be wary of.

According to the National Fraud Information Center based in Washington, travel fraud is a $43 billion industry, and travel-related fraud has become the second most popular scam reported to the Center.

The Consumer Affairs Division offers the following tips you should consider before you take that "free" or "special offer" vacation:

• Before contracting with a travel business, call the Better Business Bureau to determine whether it is registered and if there are any complaints on file.
• Be skeptical of postcards or telephone calls announcing that you have been selected to receive a free vacation.  "Selected to receive" does not necessarily mean "free".
• Don't be pressured into buying.  A good offer today usually will be a good offer tomorrow.  Legitimate businesses don't expect you to make snap decisions.
• Ask detailed questions and ask to obtain the information in writing.  Don't accept vague statements like "all major airlines" or "all major hotels".  Get the names of the hotels, airports, airlines and restaurants included in your package.  Also, ask about cancellation policies and refunds.
• Don't give your credit card number or bank information over the phone unless you initiated the call and you are certain of the credentials of the company.

Check on Travel Promotions Before You Pay for that Special Cruise Vacation

"Congratulations, you are a confirmed recipient of a spectacular 8 day/7 night fantasy cruise vacation."  These are words consumers often read on many of the travel promotion solicitations they receive in the mail.  Travel scam operators often count on consumers to get too caught up with the visions of island breezes and the "supposed" opportunity of a low cost cruise to take the time to check the legitimacy of their cruise offer.

Unfortunately, many consumers do react impulsively and pay money up front for an advertised low cost cruise package only to find later that the actual cruise package they received and paid for did not have the same amenities as the advertised cruise package, or they must pay additional costs in the form of "registration fees" and "port service charges" that were previously undisclosed, or the company doesn't honor the consumer's timely cancellation request.

Consumers should always do their homework concerning any vacation offer before paying and/or signing any travel promotion contract.  The Consumer Affairs Division offers the following tips for consumers to avoid becoming a victim of travel fraud:

• Call the Better Business Bureau to determine if the travel business is registered and if there are any complaints on file.
• Be skeptical of all postcards and telephone calls announcing that you have been selected to receive a "free" or "special low cost" cruise vacation or other type of vacation package.  The better the vacation package sounds, the more thoroughly you need to verify the details of the offer.  Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Get all details of travel offers, including restrictions and refund policies, in writing before you pay.  Also, check out travel offers with the hotels, airlines, or cruise lines that are to be included in the travel package.
• Never give credit card or checking account numbers over the telephone, unless you initiated the call and you are certain of the credentials of the company.
• Shop around.  Check with local travel agencies and compare their cruise and other vacation offers.