1. One of the most important tips is to beware of unsolicited faxes. For instance, here is one scenario: You receive an offer on the fax machine offering one week in the Bahamas for just $199, or at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun or Mexico’s Mayan Riviera for $99 per couple, per day.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, travel fraud and deception cost consumers hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Worse yet, some of these fraudulent businesses may pass themselves off a member of reputable organizations such as United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA).

While the number of companies misrepresenting themselves as USTOA has dropped, it is still important to verify that a company actually belongs to the organization. In today’s internet-driven world, it is easy to copy a logo from one website and insert it into another. So, to be safe, always check the USTOA website - www.ustoa.com - where you will find a list of current member companies.

2. If a telemarketer offers you a vacation deal, never give your credit card number over the phone.

3. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

4. Seeing an offer on a website does not count as getting an offer in writing. A website can be easily changed and provides no proof of what the offer was like when you first saw it. (Source: National Fraud Information Center, part of the National Consumer League)

5. Before purchasing a vacation, check with a travel agent or other reliable source to be sure the company is legitimate.

6. Find out if the company is a member of an organization with a consumer protection plan, such as USTOA. All USTOA packages are backed by USTOA’s Travelers Assistance Plan. Every active member company of USTOA is required to participate in the plan. Among other things, the plan requires each USTOA company to set aside a fully secured $1 million bond or letter of credit to reimburse consumers’ payments and deposits in case the company goes out of business.

7. Know the cancellation clauses in your travel agreements.

8. To save money, investigate early-booking discounts offered by tour operators.

9. Book airfare when you make your vacation arrangements. Don’t play airplane roulette, waiting until the last minute to see what late airline sales will occur. This is particularly true if you’re traveling to a highly visited area, where flights may be booked well in advance.

10. Be realistic. You get what you pay for. Don’t expect luxury accommodations at bargain-basement prices.

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