There is a trend in the travel industry towards hiring collection agencies in order to collect on bills that clients leave behind. This is due in part to the economy and travel companies attempting to get paid for things that they had previously let slide. These bills include things like unpaid hotel bills, car rental bills for traffic and/or parking tickets, and even expired licenses on vehicles that they rent out. Here is how you can protect yourself.
Check the details.
Before driving away in a rental car, check the registration and make sure that it is not set to expire on your trip. If so, demand a different car. When you check out of your hotel, make sure all charges are accounted for and paid via your credit card. Check with the front counter before you leave – even though you can check out without doing so – to make sure there are no surprises once you are gone.
Check your booking.
Any small glitch can cause a big problem when you are buying travel related services on the Internet. Make sure you only click on the ‘submit’ button ONCE to make sure that you are not double-billed. Call and confirm your order. This extra step can prevent a big headache later.
Check your rights.
You are not required to pay bills or debts that are not yours (in other words, you did not incur the charges because of your actions). Make sure that you watch what you sign for when on a trip and staying in a hotel. It is easy to get complacent and just sign whatever is set in front of you. If you find that you are being charged for something that you did not authorize, be sure to fight it vociferously in order to keep a bad mark off of your credit because of an unpaid bill.
Check the rules.
You have 30 days in order to respond to any charges that are being brought against you by a collection agency in regards to unpaid bills. Use this time to dispute the charges via certified mail. If you are being constantly harassed, then contact a lawyer who can help you further.
Making sure that your trip is a successful and pleasant event is easy when you follow the tips above. Most travelers will not have problems, but if you do, make sure that you take the necessary steps to keep your name and credit clear. It is worth the effort.
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