Recently we asked viewers to send in their stories on travel scams. My idea of a travel scam is to be taken the "long way around" by a taxi in a foreign city or to be sold that one-of-a-kind souvenir, which unknown to you, two million other people happen to own. We'll leave that for another segment.

What actually came back from our viewers was story after story of people feeling like the product they purchased was not what was delivered, whether it be a cruise, an all-inclusive vacation or in one case, a time-share.

So what should people do to protect themselves?

Here are some tips that apply, no matter what travel product you are buying:

  • Have reasonable expectations. Read the brochures, ask questions and understand what you are buying. As an example, the star rating systems at resorts in the Caribbean are commonly mis-understood. No wonder, as they are very different from the ratings used in North America and they even vary among themselves. The difference between a 3- and 4-star resort could only be a matter of a swimming pool and have nothing to do with food quality. So understand what you are buying.

  • Book your holiday with a credit card. Never pay cash or use a debit card. Most credit cards will afford you protection in case of fraud.

  • Always buy travel insurance. There are several kinds to look at; trip cancellation, trip interruption and medical. It will cost extra, but the people who run into trouble and don't have it, always regret not buying it.

  • Book your holiday through a travel agent or a tour operator who can advocate on your behalf. It doesn't hurt to have that agent or operator based in Canada so if you need to pursue issues with them directly you are not trying to navigate foreign languages and laws.

  • Try booking with an agent or operator (and that includes on-line agencies) located in Ontario, Quebec or British Columbia where they are regulated and monitored by a legally empowered entity. In Ontario for example, TICO (The Travel Industry Council of Ontario), requires all travel agencies to register and contribute to a Compensation Fund. If a consumer purchases travel services from a TICO-registered travel agency and does not receive those services due to closure or bankruptcy, they are eligible to claim up to $5,000 per person against the Compensation Fund. As well, if a consumer is not satisfied with the travel services received and cannot resolve the situation, TICO will help mediate by communicating with the travel agency and ensuring that consumer protection laws were properly followed throughout the booking process. TICO cannot impose a settlement or arbitrate but can ensure that a proper dispute process is available to the consumer. In 2008 TICO mediated 355 official complaints and were able to bring about a total of $115,000 in restitution.

  • If you have a problem, complain immediately upon arrival at the resort, hotel or on the cruise ship. Correct the issues there and then. Waiting is never the right strategy.